The works feel deeply personal. They belong to a new exploration of the idea of existing between two emotional spaces and the feelings of “otherness” that can arise from this space.— Christina Kimeze, states at the opening of her exhibition: ‘Something Other Than The World Might Know’ In France.
African culture frequently portrays female subjects with profound depth. With intricate vibrant colors, Christina depicts her female subjects often with some sort of stillness. She tries to highlight the endless possibilities that often surround women in their various elements.
The exhibition ‘Something other than the world might know’, by White Cube Paris is Christina Kimeze’s first exhibition in France. With both paintings and works on paper, Kimeze gives shape to the profound stillness of our inner existence. Her works capture feelings and sensations born of memory and found through reflection.
Her works are ethereal and superfluous, providing some euphoric and blissful sense that often emanated from her Ugandan descent. Her female subjects are large and are often engaging in some kind of activity. She uses oil paint, oil stick, and oil pastel applied on a suede mat bar, to provide a subtle texture through the hazy surface. She additionally creates delicate palimpsests marks traced by her hand progress as she works on each piece.
‘I think ambivalence and ambiguity is a nod to interiority and “indulging in the whimsy. It is a sovereign space that isn’t always legible.’ Kimeze says in her interview with White Cube Gallery, France. ‘I reference this in my work by using repeating motifs and forms to show how navigating these spaces that are not always representational but suggestive.’
About the artist
Christina Kimeze is a Ugandan London-based artist based. She explores themes of interiority, oneness, and belonging through texture and luminosity. In 2022, she received the Sir Denis Mahon Award which acknowledged her exceptional talent.
Drawing inspiration from a wide range of literary sources, Kimeze incorporates the writings of contemporary authors such as Elizabeth Alexander, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, and Saidiya Hartman. She also references influential Black feminist writers from the 20th century, including Toni Morrison, Marita Bonner, and poet Gwendolyn Brooks.
162 × 204 cm. Image courtesy of Artsy.
Kimeze’s smaller-scale, single-panel paintings reflect on these ideas, using the matoke tree with its distinctive arcing canopy of leaves in a vibrant sunshine yellow. The leaves dominate the compositions, abstracted and stylized to evoke a sense of expression. The matoke plants hold personal and colonial narratives, symbolizing the movements of the Baganda ethnic group in Uganda, to which the artist’s family belongs. These plants were planted as the nation journeyed across Africa with Christian missionaries.
Through her artistic endeavors, Christina Kimeze delves into profound themes of identity, belonging, and cultural heritage. Her works invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of human experiences and the interconnectedness of diverse narratives. Christina Kimeze’s artistry captivates with its unique exploration of texture, luminosity, and themes of belonging. Through her innovative use of unusual surface materials, she creates visually stunning and thought-provoking artwork
The exhibition serves as a testament to Kimeze’s artistic prowess and establishes her as a prominent voice in contemporary art. Her works will surely leave a lasting impression on all who have the privilege of experiencing her work. The exhibition will be on display until 27 July 2023. You can get a preview of the exhibition here.
