Fuzz Mellis 2020

Camilla d’Errico created this image of bees and an apple, called Fuzz Mellis. The sweetness just leaps out, doesn't it? D’Errico’s mark-making is all about building up layers, creating a soft, almost fuzzy texture that practically begs to be touched, very different from the hard-edged, slick surfaces we see so much these days. Look at the way the colors melt and merge in the pool beneath the apple, a kind of psychedelic spill. It’s almost as if each bee brought its own hue and contributed to this river of rainbow goo. The contrast between the pristine, almost luminous white of the apple and the explosion of color is really striking. There's a real sense of play here. D’Errico reminds me a little of Yayoi Kusama, but with a twist of kawaii cuteness. She’s not afraid to embrace sweetness, to dive into a world of bright colors and whimsical creatures. And in a world that often feels too serious, too cynical, there's something really refreshing about that.