Join us Saturday 4/5 for a Performance & artist talk featuring Mack Baker & Jeff Gibs

So You Want An Award Or Something?
Solo work by Mack Baker

NAOMI Projects is proud to present So You Want An Award Or Something?, a provocative new exhibition by transdisciplinary artist Mack Baker. Running from March 22, 2025, through April 19, 2025, at Compound Yellow, this exhibition reimagines the seven deadly sins as award-worthy ceramic trophies—challenging us to view our imperfections not as marks of shame, but as bold declarations of our authentic selves.

Mack Baker asks,
“What if our sins weren’t things to hide from but rather, revel in? What if we were awarded for giving in to temptation, over and over, as a means of being honest with ourselves? I want this work to be a revelation and a release of shame. My contorted ceramic bodies unravel as monuments to the seven deadly sins, of which we are told to shy away from. In the world I am creating, when you lean into your inner sinner you are rewarded for it.”

In So You Want An Award Or Something?, each sin is embodied in a unique ceramic form—Wrath unfurling like a carnivorous plant, Sloth sagging with inertia, Gluttony stacking like layers of indulgence, and Pride standing tall as a traditional trophy. With dramatic presentation—satin drapes, velvety textures, and theatrical spotlights—the exhibition transforms the concept of sin into a celebration of human complexity and vulnerability.

Curator Justin Dwaun Redding of NAOMI Projects reflects on the exhibition’s vision:
“At NAOMI Projects, we believe art has the power to redefine our narratives and reveal the beauty within our vulnerabilities. With So You Want An Award Or Something?, Mack Baker challenges us to reimagine sin not as a mark of shame, but as a celebration of our authentic selves. Their innovative work transforms the traditional narrative around the seven deadly sins into a bold, revealing, and ultimately liberating experience. This exhibition is a testament to embracing our inner truths—rewarding us when we lean into our imperfections.”

Performance & Artist Talk: April 5, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
(Featuring a performance by Mack Baker and Jeff Gibbs followed by a conversation between curator Justin Dwaun Redding and Mack Baker, moderated by Inga Mutimura.)

Dinner Experience: April 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(A 7-course dinner experience in partnership with Txa Txa Club.) Tickets sold here: https://www.txatxaclub.com/shop/p/so-you-want-an-award-or-something

Follow and Connect:
Mack Baker: [www.mackbaker.com] | [Instagram @__mackbaker]
Justin Dwaun Redding: [www.naomiprojects.com] | [Instagram @justindwaunredding]
NAOMI Projects: [www.naomiprojects.com] | [Instagram @naomiprojects_]
Compound Yellow: [www.compoundyellow.com] | [Instagram @compoundyellow]

So You Want An Award Or Something? invites you to experience a world where sin is not hidden, but celebrated—a realm where our flaws are transformed into badges of honor and beauty. Join us as we redefine the narrative of imperfection and embrace the raw, unfiltered truth of our shared humanity.

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