'A For Effort' by Alma Singer

‘A For Effort’ is the first solo show from Alma Singer, opening at Extraordinary Objects on 10th June. The exhibition is a humorous and personal exploration of the world of Alma Singer, the pseudonym of gallerist Carla Nizzola, and explores issues around value, art, identity, and female sexuality.

It was only at the beginning of this year that Carla began making work, and from the first post on Instagram there was an immediate audience of collectors. To date, every piece posted has sold, and her list of commissions is now so long that there is a waiting list until October.

In the first month of showing her work Carla was invited to show at London Art Fair and offered solo exhibitions in London and the US. Her first prints were released in March at The Original Print Fair and both editions sold out on the opening night. Her work has since been included at prestigious auction houses alongside Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, and Tracey Emin.

The title ‘A For Effort’ refers to comments on Nizzola’s school reports for art class. Nizzola went on to study fine art at Lancaster University and spent a few years in her early twenties making self-proclaimed ‘pretentious paintings that no-one, except my parents, wanted’, before putting the idea of being an artist to one side to pursue a career as a gallerist. It wasn’t until 15 years later that Carla was inspired to start making art again.

“Working under a pseudonym has given me the confidence to show my work and overcome my insecurities a little. Being a thirty-six-year-old woman who makes badly drawn stick figures that are quite personal I thought I’d be laughed at for considering myself an artist. As Carla I’m a bit shy and insecure, but Alma Singer is the little part of me that couldn’t care less what people think.” – Carla Nizzola

Later this year Carla has solo exhibitions at Quantas Gallery in London, and Artemezia Gallery in Tuscon, Arizona. She also has plans to launch a range of Alma Singer products, including artist materials, clothes, and homeware.

“I’ve often struggled to find things that really speak to me and represent who I am, and for years I’ve wanted to make things that I actually want to wear or use or own. The response to Alma Singer makes me want to expand beyond simply making pictures, which I love, and create a whole world that people can engage with.”