Curated by Ayrika Hall, Black Artists Network is thrilled to announce Seeing Lumumba, a performative installation by artist Modou Dieng Yacine. This exhibition, previously on view in Brussels and Paris, will be on view at our West Town Pop-Up gallery at 1901 W. Chicago Ave from June 28 – July 12, 2024, with an opening reception on Friday, June 28, 5-10 pm.

Seeing Lumumba seeks to honor the former Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba’s legacy, while interrogating the dynamics of historical representation and collective memory. Dieng Yacine’s practice involves acts of visual restitution and repair, reconfiguring colonial images through strategic erasure, augmentation, and recontextualization. Dieng Yacine challenges the “anthropological gaze” that accompanies colonial representations by decolonizing Lumumba’s image, dismantling the Eurocentric perspective that traditionally objectifies African figures, and instead presenting Lumumba as an “omnipresent everyman,” a multi-dimensional, autonomous individual. Through these visual strategies, Dieng Yacine emphasizes Lumumba’s profound humanity and his significance beyond colonial paradigms, challenging viewers to reconsider the ways in which history and identity are constructed and perceived.

Through the repetition of Lumumba’s image, particularly his gaze, Seeing Lumumba interrogates the constructs of heroism, the attributes we project onto our heroes, and the persistence of their memory. Dieng Yacine’s work invites a critical reflection on the act of seeing and being seen, revealing the mirrored reflections of our own identities within the figures we venerate. By persistently representing Lumumba’s image, this series accentuates the enduring potency of Lumumba’s legacy and highlights the continuous relevance of his struggle for justice and independence. Through this visual discourse, Dieng Yacine fosters exploration of the lasting impact of colonial histories on contemporary life and the intricate ways in which our heroes inform and reflect our historical consciousness.

The exhibition features an interactive component, inviting guests to engage with the show’s thematic exploration of reflection through portraiture by drawing or painting on a large backdrop. These contributions will be subsequently incorporated into new artwork by Modou Dieng Yacine after the completion of the show.

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Tags: Ayrika Hall, Black artists network, Chicago, Modou Dieng Yacine, Patrice Lumumba, Seeing Lumumba, West Town