A painted woman with an upside down smile on a yellow/orange background, with two white jugs on the background behind her.

Face Oka

Water makes up most of the human body (yellow)

€800

Artwork

Edition of 4056.7 (H) × 70.0 (W) cm

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Face Oka parodies the classic pin-up with a tongue-in-cheek take on portraiture.

Oka's fondness for vibrant colour is realised in four fluorescent finishes, each drawing focus to the hourglass figure of a doll-like woman. She’s smiling, but only because her simply-drawn face is upside down – suggesting discomfort with her objectification. A pair of jugs contribute to an assembly of visual puns that gradually reveal themselves upon inspection.

A mocking tableau, Water makes up most of the human body embodies Oka's distinctive sense of humour and exploration of overt sexuality.

Join us on Avant Arte Collective on September 15th to be guided through the production process by printmaker Tom. Face Oka will join the event to answer your questions and discuss the edition.

Behind the scenes

Face Oka standing in front of a wall with his paintings

Face Oka4 collaborationsFace Oka translates the world around him into a distinct, comical style. He borrows figures from adverts and cartoons, giving each a solid black outline. Sometimes people are reduced to graphic shapes and colours, while others are painted more realistically. Regardless, everyone is given Oka’s signature smiley face, either the right or wrong way up. Although his work appears digital, he actually paints with acrylic on canvas. Citing manga as an early influence, his comic book style is reminiscent of Pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein, and later Keith Haring. Graffiti and skate culture have a clear impact on his paintings, like the work of skater-turned-artist Mark Gonzales. In 2018, Oka also released a book of paintings, Dear Larry Clark... , based on the photographers’ documentation of skate culture.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

Great job! love the artwork.really impressed with your packing and what is included. It shows you care about what you do and leaves a great impression. thank you
Review of Maya & Interior
great experience & top notch prints!! i could not be happier with Avant Arte!!! Thanks so much!
Review of Maya & Interior
first class experience from start to finish. really impressed with the work and with the Avant Arte process. 💯
Review of Guardian
i have been very pleased with my wonderful art work! communication and packaging was suberb. highly recommend
Review of Guardian
Love my new Snowfro piece and all the little extras that came with it! The tote bag in particular is immaculate 🤌
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
This piece is lovely and out for framing. I actually want to buy another.
Review of Inner Love
beautiful! thank you
Review of Sierra
Great piece, arrived in excellent condition, thanks!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations

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