Haute Color Yellow Dress, 2009

Efren Isaza   Emerging artists

Haute Color yellow Dress A unique object, this archival pigment photograph print on aluminum has extensive hand-applied paint embellishments. It is profusely hand-inked, intentionally scratched, signed, titled, dated and annotated in pencil on the reverse, and is in overall excellent condition. 

This of one of a kind intervened artworks produced in 2009 and 2010 marks Isaza's artistic shift from traditional fashion photography into fine art. It was at this time that Isaza began to explore beyond the camera lens through the process of applying physical interventions onto his printed images - using paint, crayon, tape, graphite, and other such unconventional materials. This process gave him an avenue to explore photography to a larger developed scale, giving space for his female subjects to be depicted with more of a sense of grandeur.

This artwork is a dynamic tableau showcasing a vivid fusion of fashion and visual art. It depicts three elegantly attired figures, draped in avant-garde costumes enriched with layers of bold colors—rust, black, and vibrant yellow. The left figure, poised on stacked platforms, embodies theatricality, with her flamboyant dress cascading in dramatic frills. Centrally, another figure in a striking yellow and black ensemble exudes classical sophistication while casually seated on a white chair. To the right, an elevated figure dons an opulent yellow hat and voluminous attire, creating a vertical emphasis against the muted backdrop. The setting is an artist's studio adorned with sketches and paintings, adding depth to the scene. Light floods in through large windows, illuminating the figures and creating contrast with the neutral walls. This composition uniquely blends elements of fashion, performance, and fine art, evoking a world where movement and artistry coexist seamlessly.