Tschabalala Self's Mixed-Media Figures Explore Black Urban Life at ICA Boston
The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston is hosting Tschabalala Self's solo exhibition titled 'Out of Body,' which will be open from January 20 to July 5, 2020. This showcase includes fourteen paintings, four sculptures, and wall art that delve into the Black urban experience through a variety of mixed media. Self's artwork transcends conventional limits, incorporating fabrics, paint, and materials reflective of her upbringing in Harlem. The piece 'Out of Body' features two figures cast in shadow, while 'Ol' Bay' (2019) illustrates a nude woman in a kitchen surrounded by childhood fabrics. Additional works include 'Racer' (2018) and 'Thank You' (2018), along with two 'Milkcrate' (2019) sculptures that honor Black and Hispanic communities impacted by gentrification.
Key facts
- Exhibition title derived from 2015 painting 'Out of Body'
- Show includes 14 canvases, 4 sculptures, and wall paintings
- Runs from 20 January to 5 July 2020 at Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
- Works incorporate patterned fabrics, paint, pencil, socks, and plastic bags
- References bodegas through Goya and La Morena bean cans and Tide bottles
- Includes 'Milkcrate' sculptures serving as plinths for leg sculptures
- Art draws from Self's experience growing up in Harlem
- Figures painted directly on gallery walls extend beyond canvas boundaries
Entities
Artists
- Tschabalala Self
Institutions
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
- ArtReview
Locations
- Boston
- United States
- New York
- Harlem