Avery Singer's early works, created between 2012 and 2015, mark a foundational period in her artistic career, showcasing her innovative approach to painting and her exploration of themes surrounding the art world, technology, and identity. During this time, Singer developed her signature style of using 3D modeling software and computer-controlled airbrushing to create her paintings, a method that has since distinguished her in the contemporary art scene.
In 2012 and 2013, Singer's work began to gain significant attention with her participation in various group and solo exhibitions. Her first solo show, "The Artists," held at Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler in Berlin in 2013, played a crucial role in defining her early artistic vision. In this exhibition, Singer delved into the stereotypes and rituals of the art world, using digital technology to create scenes that satirize the lives of artists, the dynamics of art production, and the social contexts surrounding art. Works from this period, such as "Jewish Artist and Patron" (2012) and "The Studio Visit" (2012), exemplify her critical engagement with the art world through a blend of humor and critique, employing a monochromatic palette and geometric forms that echo historical art movements like Constructivism and Cubism (Hauser & Wirth).
Singer's early paintings are characterized by their exploration of the relationship between digital processes and traditional painting techniques. She utilized 3D software not only as a tool for creating images but also as a conceptual framework for thinking about space, form, and the construction of visual narratives. This period was marked by an experimentation with grayscale, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow to create depth and volume on flat surfaces. The use of airbrushing allowed Singer to achieve a level of precision and smoothness in her work, aligning with her interest in the digital aesthetic while challenging the material boundaries of painting (Wikipedia) (Hauser & Wirth).
Moreover, Singer's early works often engage with themes of identity and representation, questioning the ways in which individuals and objects are depicted within digital and physical spaces. Her paintings from this era reflect on the construction of identity through technology, as well as the ways in which historical and contemporary art practices intersect and inform one another. By incorporating elements of digital culture and art history into her work, Singer creates a dialogue between past and present, exploring the evolving nature of visual language in the age of technology.
Throughout 2012 to 2015, Singer's art was not only a technical exploration but also a conceptual inquiry into the nature of painting and image-making in contemporary society. Her innovative use of digital tools in conjunction with traditional painting methods established her as a pioneering figure in the art world, challenging conventional notions of what painting could be. This early body of work laid the groundwork for Singer's continued exploration of digital technology, art history, and the social dynamics of the art world, themes that she has continued to develop and expand upon in her later work.