Our show Triangulation has for premise that all contemporary artists are influenced by cultures from around the world. Each will develop various degrees of inspiration: their specific artistic coordinates.
This is particularly true of Amir Bey, Grace Nkem and Obinna Elechi, the three artists featured in Triangulation.
They all enjoy ties to Africa, and have a personal experience of other continents as well: Europe, Asia, and America. Yet their exploration does not stop at the multiple places where they have lived, but they also look everywhere, for example to South America for its rich history in the arts.
Our artists spoke about their work, about their “triangulation“. One of Obinna Elechi‘s characters in his metaphysical comic book Space Kadets is Mayan. Amir Bey acknowledges the influence of the spectacular Sumi technique in his work. Grace Nkem represents images of artifacts from multiple cultures in her collaged paintings.
The opening was proof of how diverse our modern world is. Each person at the opening had their own triangulation in terms of where they had been born, where they had chosen to move to, where their passion lay.
Conversations flourished between visitors who included people from the media, curators, artists, lawyers, scientists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, and more.
Saco Myoji and Kevin Nathaniel’s music contributed their poignant tunes that floated like an enchanted breeze through the gallery.
We are thankful to ChaShaMa for selecting our exhibit and awarding us this beautiful space. Our heartfelt thanks to Jiwoo Kim, Liza Kruth… and Anita Durst, the founder and director of ChaShaMa, naturally!
Arabella von Arx and Grace Nkem, co-curators
www.chashama.org @chashama
