The Fridman Gallery presents “Fabula Rasa” through December 17, 2022 in its New York City space.
“Fabula Rasa” features nine artists of all ages from around the world who create new fantasies by accepting traditional tales as their starting point.
“Fabula Rasa” is a collection of stories, a stage for encountering the customs depicted by Ghalia Benali, Hana Yilma Godine, Dindga McCannon, Ambrose Song Murray, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Anastasiia Podervianska, Sahana Ramakrishnan, Alisa Sikelianos-Carter and Nafis M. White. A chance for the Fridman Gallery itself to become a ceremonial space.
Ghalia Benali‘s mixed media drawings and melodies that resist writing are inspired by Sufi verses. Hana Yilma Godine‘s artistic creations on muslin textures include divine female figures from ancient Abyssinian mythology. Dindga McCannon‘s sculpture surprises an ancient-style bust with glittering sequins. Ambrose Rhapsody Murray‘s photographic prints on organza grids outlined with hand-cut wood are devotional altars of his matrilineal progenitors. Wura-Natasha Ogunji‘s ink and string drawings depict Yoruba deities – Ochun, linked to excellence, love, exotic nature, pleasure, and Yemaya, the lord of origins, motherhood, the ocean. Anastasiia Podervianska‘s quilt tells a Ukrainian story in which a snake attacks a lady and her cow for their milk.
Sahana Ramakrishnan‘s work reverses the orders frequently followed in conventional Indian miniatures – the stalker becomes the prey, the male serves the female. Alisa Sikelianos-Carter‘s work, embroidered on silk, made of gouache, mica and obsidian stone, instills a variety of darkness and dark experience. Nafis M. White‘s larger-than-life Oculus combines Black hair, beauty items, and styling procedures with Victorian traditions and mourning practices.
As a reminder, “Fabula Rasa” is open through December 17, 2022 at the Fridman Gallery.
