Kaz Oshiro's Paintings Defy Illusion at Honor Fraser

Kaz Oshiro's exhibition at Honor Fraser marks a departure from his earlier trompe l'oeil objects, presenting nine paintings that engage directly with the gallery space. These works, created from paint, Bondo, canvas, and stretchers, are positioned against ceilings, floors, and corners, emphasizing their identity as paintings rather than illusions. Unlike previous pieces mimicking everyday items like a yellow Dumpster acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, these monochromes exist as resolved thoughts before being distorted by their surroundings. Oshiro's practice, developed over a decade, shifts from object replication to spatial interaction, with one traditional trompe l'oeil file cabinet highlighting this evolution by appearing earthbound compared to the liberated paintings. The show, reviewed in ArtReview's Summer 2013 issue, underscores Oshiro's painterly discipline and imaginative engagement with illusion.