Closing my First Solo Show!
Reflections and Next Up.
It’s June 2025… perfect pause & reflect time.
After being extended for an additional two weeks, the curtain has finally closed on my first solo show at the Centro Cultural Mozambique-Germany (Goethe)! I am overwhelmed with gratitude and feeling reborn, quite literally.
This collection of portraits was all about the human spiritual journey for me. Raised Muslim in an interfaith family and exposed to all manner of African religious practices, I’ve always tried to make sense of the world through a progression from human, to ancestor, to deity. In some religions, we call these deities saints or disciples, but that all seems to be a matter of semantics for me — after all, maybe the recently departed aren’t as glorified as those longer removed. Anyway, in this exhibition, I play around with my own artist legacy as a photographer, inherited from my paternal grandfather, to ponder on “Who among us mere mortals will be considered Gods and Goddesses by our kids’ kids?”
These big, lofty questions are ones I can see in my rearview mirror now that the exhibit has closed. But while creating, I wasn’t conscious of the question I was hoping to answer for myself.
Since launching my studio in August 2024, I’ve lost a few friends I’d never fathomed making it to the other side so soon. There was Otis in October, and Melissa just weeks ago. Losing people suddenly, young, and with no silver lining whatsoever to grasp on to, has left me with a lot of sensemaking to do.
I’m mourning through my art, but also making silver linings where one isn’t readily available.
We make our own reality, so they say.
For those who can’t see the works in person, check out my portfolio.
So, what’s next?
Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer, but reflection season gets heavy for me.
On the horizon, I’m prepping for an exhibition in Aug-Oct in a prominent gallery in Maputo. Details forthcoming…
I’m also pitching for future opportunities - namely in Maputo and Johannesburg. If anyone has a mainline to Southern Guild, Zeitz MOOCA, or Goodman Gallery, I’d be grateful for any advice on how to make a serious connection.
And, I’m looking forward to a residency at Arts, Letters & Numbers in NY soon.
I’ll keep you posted as details become available to view or support my work!
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