Rainbow Roll 2016

Editor: So, here we have Camilla d'Errico's "Rainbow Roll" from 2016, done with acrylics. It's... unexpected, to say the least! There's this almost unsettling combination of cute and bizarre. I mean, it's sushi with eyes! How do you interpret this work, particularly given the artist’s known for pop-surrealism? Curator: Well, it is definitely more than just "sushi with eyes." D'Errico, deeply embedded in a lineage of female pop-surrealist artists, uses that cuteness you observed to open up conversations around culturally-defined concepts of femininity. Think about it – sushi, already a hyper-stylized and commodified food, is then further fetishized here. The rainbow, too, could reference contemporary intersectional movements fighting for visibility and rights, making this "roll" not just food, but a symbolic representation of layered identities. How do you think the juxtaposition of food and identity operates within this composition? Editor: I see what you mean about the layers of meaning. I was mostly stuck on the bright colors and how it felt so… consumable. But now I realize that could be exactly the point! The work highlights consumption in a more critical context. Curator: Exactly! D’Errico challenges us to consider the ways in which we consume not only food but also identity and culture. By making it visually appealing, almost cartoonish, she encourages a dialogue about serious social issues. What do you think about this invitation being extended to the viewer, in your experience? Editor: I definitely think I’ll look at sushi differently now! I came in thinking it was just quirky and fun, but now it’s so clear that the painting holds space for bigger ideas around cultural appropriation, and… almost, like, palatable activism? Curator: Precisely. This is why situating the artwork within socio-historical context really elevates our appreciation. The artist gives food for thought, literally and figuratively.