Explorations of Afro-futurism embark upon creative journeys that delve into the interconnected attributes of humanity and its environment in Abi Salami’s solo exhibition, From Behind the Vine.

Rele Gallery Los Angeles is pleased to present Nobody’s Appendage: Unapologetically Free, a group exhibition, running from March 11th to April 8th, whose title is inspired by the writing of Nigerian female novelist Buchi Emecheta who notes “when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage?” Designed as a commemoration of women’s month the exhibition presents work from Ndidi Emefiele, Abi Salami, Manyatsa Monyamane, Lewinale Havette, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray and Grace Kisa in celebrating and examining the complexities, areas of intersectionality and nuances of Black women as well as confronting reductive and oppressive social narratives.

Within contemporary art, women’s voices are becoming increasingly visible and centered. However, vast discrepancies still exist between women and their male counterparts. Women of color are particularly denigrated, their stories often told by others, misconstrued, or not told at all. In this exhibition, the artists presented employ varying mediums to share poignant, personal stories and challenge stifling, imperialist narratives, whilst displaying intricacies of womanhood, free from social constraints. 

Nobody’s Appendage: Unapologetically Free showcases works that speak to the nuanced ways in which Black women continue to refute the limiting and erroneous narratives that often precede them. In a world that constantly produces oppressive systems that police the rights and autonomy of women, particularly with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S and the signing in of legislation that directly affects women, the exhibition invites viewers to support and critically reflect on the multiple realities of Black women as well as the ongoing liberatory work of reclamation done by these women.

Artist Talk 4 PM “Sex and the City” with Abi Salami in conversation with Jennifer Cowley

Opening Exhibition 5 - 8 PM

Abi Salami’s latest body of work—cheeky, off-kilter, wry—playfully but powerfully rails against the stereotypes that haunt our cliches and norms, the tyrannies and false imperatives of European beauty standards, and the hypocrisies of heterosexual love. Topsy-turvy tableaux expose society’s foibles with sardonic wit. Her rollicking visual riddles place folly where we can see it. In the artist’s loose, gestural compositions, the shock of color and melee of form intentionally disorient the viewer, while humor both lures and diffuses tension—her clever formal means to broach (mis)education.

For this series, Salami borrowed from pop culture and her own experiences of indigenous Nigerian religion to explore her theme. Autobiographical introspection and social commentary arise through the artist’s visual, symbol-laden lexicon of femininity and masculinity, innocence and seduction, betrayal and desire. Ultimately, Salami’s paintings can be heeded like pages from a pictorial lesson book that asks the viewer to pose the questions that we leave unasked.

Thrilled to announce the preview opening of “Blackness” May 19-22 at @154artfair New York!

“Blackness” is the 4th edition of the international program IN-DISCIPLINE presented by the @montressoartfoundation. IN-DISCIPLINE is a residency and traveling exhibition that highlights work by artists practicing in various countries representing Africa and her diaspora. This edition features 5 Black American artists under the curatorial vision of @fahamupecou and includes: @byaridannielle @paulstephenbenjamin @michaelreesestudios @abi.m.salami and @cosmowhyte. The artists interrogate questions of Black memory, identity, and performance, challenging and expanding long-held perceptions of what being Black means and can be.

Join us during 1:54 Art Fair in Harlem May 18-22. The full exhibition will open in Marrakech in 2023.

Band of Vices' is thrilled to present two concurrent solo exhibitions by Dallas-based artist Abi Salami and the Baltimore-based artist Andrew Gray, INDETERMINATE SPACE OF THE IMAGINARY.

Comprised of over 20 figurative works, these two emerging artists challenge our notions of the Black experience, from both mythical and expressionistic viewpoints.

.

While building upon her autobiographical stories, ABI SALAMI provides two different series, the Disconnected, a searing commentary on the contemporary art world and her Dance with the devil/blood in the water, an in-depth examination of the exploitation and toxicity of capitalism. Notes the artist: “I take an introspective look and admit that since I don't possess the power to change the system then all I can do is play along and wait until my moment comes.”

.

"I have had the opportunity over the past several years to really engage both Abi and Andrew, just as much about their journeys as artists, as I have gotten to know them a bit more personally. INDETERMINATE SPACE OF THE IMAGINARY builds upon this trust and tradition has allowed us to have an ongoing dialogue that seeks to have a cohesive, yet individual experience of their works." @TERRELLTILFORD, Creative Director.

Solo exhibition featuring works by Nigerian-American visual artist Abi Salami at the Art Centre of Plano from February 5 to March 26. 2022.

Opening reception on February 5, 2022 from 2-4 pm

Artist Lunch & Learn February 23 at 1 pm

Art Centre of Plano

902 E 16th St, Plano, TX 75074

Two pieces by Abi Salami will be exhibited at Hold Fast to Dreams group Exhibition at Neighborhood Store + Gallery.

01.29.22 to 2.28.22

Neighborhood Store + Gallery

2532 Converse Street Dallas TX 75207

Opening reception: 1.29.22 from 5-8pm

Two paintings by Abi Salami will be exhibited at Black is Black: Invitational.

Curated by John Spriggins

Opening reception: Thursday, January 27th 2-4PM

TCC Southeast Art Corridor II

2100 Southeast Parkway, Arlington TX 76018

Gallery 1202 will be exhibition seven new artworks by Nigerian American artist Abi Salami at the spring edition of Affordable Art Fair NYC.

Gallery 1202 presents eight works by Nigerian American visual artist, Abi Salami in an online virtual exhibition on Artsy.com. Click here to explore the new series.

https://www.artsy.net/show/gallery-1202-from-behind-the-shadow-of-a-cactus?sort=partner_show_position

Girlhood is not a monolith. It is messy, untethered and full of mistakes. Girls Are Gods, Too centers the vast, diverse in between spaces of growing up as girls in wide spanning current cultural landscapes. These artists pay tribute to the strength and humility required to survive girlhood. They are dedicated to providing a transcendent and honest vision of contemporary coming of age.

A collection curated by Jaelynn Walls

Jaelynn Walls is a curator and writer based in Texas. Her work is driven by the mission to uplift marginalized artists and create spaces for artists of color in institutional and alternative art spaces. She sees art as a site of possibility for unity and equity for communities of color and beyond. She is the 2019-2021 Andrew W. Mellon Curatorial Fellow at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and host of Art in Color, an educational web series centering contemporary artists.

Click here to check out the exhibition

America claims to be the land of the free, a country where dreams are nurtured and allowed to come true. It professes to welcome the immigrant and anyone seeking a better life.

But the experience of America to the individual living here is as broad as the country is big. Current events bring to light how far the myth is from reality for many within our borders. Yet some fortunate people do experience the abundance and opportunities available here.

We invited artists to share their uniquely American Experiences. Freedom of expression is still one of the sacred promises of the Founding Fathers. This show intends to encourage and honor that freedom through art.

Juried by Lauren Palmor, Ph.D, Assistant Curator at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco