NinaJohnson

Raised in Tunisia and based in Brooklyn since 2007, Ayari’s paintings are characterized by a discernable balance between abstraction and figuration, often exploring elements of her native landscape, the narration of a story, and what she sees as a negotiation of her personal and political views. Using natural imagery as the core subject of her work—undulating branches, pink flowers, twisting leaves—Ayari’s canvases are brought to life with vibrant colors, bold tones, and thick textures.

Ayari’s densely composed paintings are a result of a slow, labor-intensive process (one painting can take up to two months). Using an intricate oil painting method to create goopy-textured canvases that represent a sculpture-like quality, the artist invites viewers to immerse themselves in her work and create their own narrative. Isolated encounters and singular elements are grouped together into one cohesive story in which the artist brings life and movement to elements of nature that are typically regarded as still. Ayari’s work evokes a post-humanist touch to nature, generating a futuristic, almost sci-fi version of the natural world.

In her exhibition at Nina Johnson, Ayari introduces a new series of cast glass sculptures that are based on elements of the paintings. For the artist, this is an exciting new aspect to her work: where the textural decisions in her paintings are executed manually, the sculptures are produced automatically from a 3D print mold. She also infuses a new color in this show: orange — which the artist describes as “succinctly communicating a sense of urgency and connection despite alienation and innumerable changes [she] had been experiencing.” Featured heavily in Waves II, this new orange brings an expressive quality to the protagonists in the work. In exploring this color, the artist regards this show as encompassing a love letter to Miami.