Project: 2023 Blue Parrots and Untitled Pairs Alex Fischer and Saimaiyu Akesuk

When does a soul become dyed with the color of its thoughts? These large images both face themselves and face away. Reaching and spiraling both inward and upward, they are poised and revealed, always re-centering on some in-between space and embracing a warmth of details to call their own.

The Miami Pop-Up celebrates the ongoing collaboration between Saimaiyu Akesuk (Inuk from Kinngait) and Alex Fischer (Southern Canadian from Toronto), with their shared bird-themed focus showcased in vibrant and imaginative works. While their partnership has previously culminated in installations like As a Bird, this collection highlights their individual approaches to mark-making. Akesuk’s bold use of color and expressive, hand-drawn lines contrasts with Fischer’s pixel-perfect digital creations, which are best experienced at scale to appreciate the immersive detail of his microscopic sketching.

Set against Miami’s tropical backdrop of palm trees and parrots, Akesuk’s birds evoke Arctic species, including whimsical hybrids imagined to merge with polar bears. The interplay of Akesuk’s striking palette and gestural forms with Fischer’s precise and meticulous style results in a collection that is both playful and thought-provoking. Together, their works create a vibrant dialogue between two unique perspectives, inviting viewers to explore the intersection of imagination, nature, and design.