“Midsommar”: summer solstice through the prism of contemporary African art

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Tariku Shiferaw Longing For Motherland, 2024 Acrylic on canvas 121.9 × 121.9 cm 48 × 48 in
Tariku Shiferaw Longing For Motherland, 2024 Acrylic on canvas 121.9 × 121.9 cm 48 × 48 in

Until August 4, Bode Gallery is pleased to welcome the group exhibition “Midsommar” featuring artists Anthony Akinbola, Alteronce Gumby and Tariku Shiferaw. At this special time of year, these three contemporary artists present a unique exhibition celebrating the summer solstice. Midsummer’s Day, also known as the summer solstice, is dedicated to celebrating the longest day of the year. This ancient event, rooted in Scandinavian tradition, is marked by the midnight sun illuminating the night, creating a special atmosphere where the warm light tints the sky with a reddish-yellow hue and the surrounding area.

"Midsommar": summer solstice through the prism of contemporary African art
Installation views from Galerie Bode MIDSOMMAR ANTHONY AKINBOLA, ALTERONCE GUMBY, TARIKU SHIFERAW

The artists in the exhibition draw inspiration from the magical time of Midsommar to create visually unique works evoking a night sky dotted with constellations of special, immersive colors, each offering a singular perspective.

In his “Mata Semay” series, Tariku Shiferaw imagines dreamlike versions of the night sky, evoking the mystique of the cosmos and questioning the erasure of black people’s contribution to society. With his paintings, he explores a new collective mythology, honoring the symbols and stories of African and diasporic cultures that have mapped the night sky for millennia.

"Midsommar": summer solstice through the prism of contemporary African art
Alteronce Gumby Blue Colored Mountain, 2024 Lapis Lazuli, glass, and acrylic on panel 182.9 x 182.9 cm 72 x 72 in

Alteronce Gumby, through a spectrum of fluorescent and chromatic colors, pushes the boundaries of the perception of identity and materiality on earth and in the cosmos. Using complex layers of light and dark, reflection and interference, his works challenge the viewer to rethink color and form in innovative ways.

Anthony Akinbola’s conceptual creations in ready-made fabric draw on the tradition of the durag, offering a reflection on the prejudices associated with this accessory. By proposing a varied range of colors, evoking the summer night sky, the artist deconstructs stereotypes and invites us to rethink our perception of color, pointing out that black is not limited to a single hue, just like the night sky during Midsommar.

"Midsommar": summer solstice through the prism of contemporary African art
Tariku Shiferaw Stolen Stars Awaiting To Return, 2024 Acrylic on canvas 121.9 × 121.9 cm 48 × 48 in

In a distinctive yet complementary whole, Anthony Akinbola, Alteronce Gumby and Tariku Shiferaw encourage us in “Midsommar” to broaden our perceptual horizons, to question age-old frameworks of thought about color, and to consider new interpretations of the world around us, like the brilliant night sky during the Midsommar season.

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