A Stunning Mystery

An admirer of Japanese manga and anime, Simone Asia (born Simone Padmore in 1990) is a Barbadian artist whose predominant medium is pen and ink. Asia's work reflects her emotionality and self-awareness through detailed and rich illustrations, initially in black and white and more recently filled with color, and exploratory collage inclusions. Asia has participated in several international residencies, including Fresh Milk and Projects & Space in Barbados and Alice Yard—managed and curated by artist Christopher Cozier—in Trinidad.
"A Stunning Mystery" is a dreamlike illustration of the faces of two men, one with his eyes covered with lichen and the other almost completely hidden by aquatic plants and vegetation. The microorganisms, textures, and patterns of the plant word are scattered, juxtaposed, and intertwined, creating a sort of subconscious landscape that flows through the figures and paper.