Artist Uman Discusses Her Dual Exhibitions and Artistic Journey

Dual Exhibitions and Artistic Themes

• 🎨 Uman is currently showcasing her work in two simultaneous exhibitions: "After All the Things" at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and "I Love You After Everything" at the Nicola Vassell Gallery.
• 🧘 The Aldrich show is described as a meditative exhibition focusing on evolution, calmness, and stillness.
• ⚡ In contrast, the Nicola Vassell Gallery show features more immediate, exploratory work, including mixed media pieces.

Artistic Techniques and Inspirations

• 🧩 Uman embraces mixed media as a core element of her artistic identity, stating she doesn't like to be "boxed in."
• 🚪 A notable piece involves combining upholstery with canvas, inspired by decorative shutters and creating a hypnotic effect.
• 🐘 Painted tusks on a blue wall in the Nicola Vassell exhibition are a personal memory from Mombasa, East Africa, symbolizing colonial history.
• 🧵 Uman has been sewing canvases together for the past 3-4 years, upcycling scraps into puzzle-like compositions before painting on them.
• 🖌️ She often works with unprimed canvas, applying acrylics then oils, or smearing paint directly with her hands for a more authentic feel.

Artistic Evolution and Personal Journey

• 🌍 Uman's art is deeply inspired by her homeland, Somalia, and East African aesthetics, particularly textiles and rich colors.
• 🏙️ She moved from East Africa to Denmark, then New York, finding aloneness in New York to be a crucial, positive experience for her artistic development.
• 🏞️ Relocating upstate provided the space to work and a quiet stillness, contrasting with the rapid pace of New York City.
• 🏡 Uman now has a studio in Albany, seeking to reconnect with the city and gain more exposure after a period of isolation.

Reflections on Career and Identity

• 💡 Uman initially felt like an outsider and was anti-institution, but found the opportunity for a museum show at the Aldrich to be a perfectly timed and freeing experience.
• 🖼️ She is grateful for curators who have faith in her work, allowing her the freedom to experiment with new mediums like video and sculpture.
• 🙏 Reflecting on her journey from selling art in Union Square to having two major exhibitions, Uman feels truly blessed and emotional about her progress, while acknowledging there is still more to achieve.