A special treat for mystery and art lovers

Nothing is More Real Than Nothing is a collaboration between artist Hanna ten Doornkaat and writer Daniel James.

The reclusive artist Ezra Maas is the subject of Daniel James' postmodern meta-biography. The special edition with visual contributions by artist Hanna ten Doornkaat has caught the attention of literary critics, who describe the book as ambitious, challenging, beautifully designed … a maze of allusion and illusion.

The exhibition takes its title from one of the many references hinted at in the textual palimpsest of 'The Unauthorised Biography of Ezra Maas'. Correspondingly, Hanna ten Doornkaat creates her drawings in many layers, adding and obscuring marks with titles forming the final layer in reference to quotes or ideas that inspired the work. 

The notion of the line in its relationship to drawing is central to ten Doornkaat's practice who describes her process as a dialogue between herself and the work. In response to the experience of confinement in recent years, her drawings increasingly push the boundaries of form, surfaces and framing. The conversations that begin between the lines become a colloquy of works assembled into sculptural still lives.

Reclusive artist Ezra Maas turned his back on fame and vanished without a trace while working on his final masterpiece. His body was never found. Discover the untold truth about the artist's life between the lines of Daniel James' words and Hanna ten Doornkaat's drawings.

Gallery46, 46 Ashfield Street, London E1 2AJ

9 - 19 June 2022

Private View + Book Signing: Thursday 9 June, 6-9 pm

Q&A + Book Discussion & Reading: Saturday 11 June, 4-6pm