Reversing the gaze: representations of race, politics of identity, and Ethiopian iconography, come together in a breakthrough show by a remarkable artist
22 November – 20 December, Miami
Saatchi Yates is delighted to present a powerful solo exhibition of new paintings by contemporary Ethiopian artist Tesfaye Urgessa, opening on 22 November at the gallery’s temporary space in the heart of Miami’s Design District.
Ethiopian iconography is at the core of Urgessa’s artistic production – he emigrated from Addis Ababa and now lives and works in Germany. Recognised for his unique intertwined subject matter that recalls representations of race and the politics of identity, Urgessa’s new body of work will see him dive deeper into this subject with 15 new large-scale paintings marking some of his largest works to date.
Loose backgrounds, smooth brushstrokes, soft muted hues, thick textured applications and defined schematic features create an intense contrast that propels Urgessa’s human figures to the fore. At first glance, they appear intertwined – one cannot discern the number of bodies represented in his paintings.
Profoundly influencing Urgessa’s practice is also the chiaroscuro technique – a pattern in his work used to deliberately conceal parts of his subjects’ bodies that renders his paintings highly enigmatic. Urgessa notes: “Why can’t we hide some body parts in the shadows? Why do we need to reveal everything and every detail? We know an individual has two hands, why paint two hands?”
The use of the ‘reversal gaze’ draws attention to the culture of mass surveillance – a nod to French philosopher Michel Foucault and his thoughts on how scrutiny, of even the most private aspects of our lives, results in subjects self-regulating their own behaviour. Urgessa’s intent is multifold: to shine a light on the omnipresence of surveillance both in our private and public lives, forcing individuals to conform to society’s norms and simultaneously comment on how people of colour are more subject to disproportionate inspection.
In his new work, the artist speaks about his own experience and frustrations – often being questioned by European authorities due to the colour of his skin. His art expresses the human need to be acknowledged for who one is, while still preserving agency and privacy. This deeply echoes Martinique writer Édouard Glissant’s Poetics of Relation which calls for a ‘Right to Opacity’, the theory of concealment but not invisibility – ‘the desire to be seen but not looked through’.
Through his evocative paintings, Urgessa is able to reverse roles with his viewer – the observer becomes the observed and the observed becomes the observer. The new show looks to convey the result of ceaseless judgement and scrutiny and the feeling of being exposed, naked, and bare. Urgessa says: “Young people should not be bound to geographical boundaries whatsoever, but follow their own dreams and visions”.
Having studied under renowned Ethiopian artist Tadesse Mesfin, at the Alle School of Fine Art and Design, Ethiopia in 2006, he later moved to Germany to study at Staalichen Akademie der Bildenken Künste, Stuttgart under prof. Cordula Gudermann in 2014. Here is where he encountered the heritage of German Neo-Expressionism and the London School of Painters, which he would incorporate in his imagery.
On view from 22 November to 20 December, Urgessa’s show will be housed at Saatchi Yates’ temporary gallery space next to the Institute of Contemporary art and De La Cruz Collection. The show will coincide with the artists’ presentation at the Rubell Museum, Miami opening on November 28th 2022.
This will be the third edition from a series of international temporary gallery spaces hosted by Saatchi Yates and follows its first space in Turin, Italy with a curated group exhibition of represented artists in 2021. Later in 2022, the gallery opened a temporary exhibition space at the Chateau Saint Maur, South of France.
Tesfaye Urgessa’s exhibition will be on view from Tuesday 22 November to Tuesday 20 December at Saatchi Yates’ temporary gallery space in Miami’s Design District.
For more information, please visit www.saatchiyates.com