The art show exploring self-worth in the 21st century
- Text by Niall Flynn
A new exhibition dedicated to exploring coping mechanisms in the 21st century is opening in London this week. Titled Am I Making Sense, the group show focuses on how young people have turned to ideas of spirituality in order to process ideas of self-worth and positive thought.
Curated by Ashleigh Kane and focusing on the work of three artists – Shon Faye, Elizabeth Gabrielle Lee and Ruth Ossai, in collaboration with Ib Kamara – the show opens to the public on Friday 3rd November at the Hoxton Arches. Encompassing photography, film, set design, and “subtle sensory elements”, Am I Making Sense is an immersive celebration of self, which sees each of the aforementioned exploring an affirmation that is personal to them individually. The exhibition is the third in a series of collaborative events as part of the newly formed Melissa Collective, courtesy of Brazilian show brand Melissa.
“I was drawn to working with each artist because while their output, aesthetics and execution are different, their works are centred by identity,” Kane explains in a statement. “Each fearlessly embraces alternative perspectives informed by their diverse experiences and desires to push representation forward.”
“By working with each of these artists, I hope to reach people who might be experiencing those feelings or questioning their own sense of self. We know our heads can be a scary place, but the idea of working with affirmations is the notion that that same mind can also be an important tool to help steer things in another, more positive, direction. I’ve never underestimated the power of positive thought and hope that through these artists being brave enough to tap into their own insecurities about their identities and turning them into moments of strength, other people can relate, and ultimately do so too.”
Am I Making Sense is open to the public at London’s Hoxton Arches on Friday November 3rd, 2017.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Meet the trans-led hairdressers providing London with gender-affirming trims
Open Out — Since being founded in 2011, the Hoxton salon has become a crucial space the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Hannah Bentley caught up with co-founder Greygory Vass to hear about its growth, breaking down barbering binaries, and the recent Supreme Court ruling.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
Gazan amputees secure Para-Cycling World Championships qualification
Gaza Sunbirds — Alaa al-Dali and Mohamed Asfour earned Palestine’s first-ever top-20 finish at the Para-Cycling World Cup in Belgium over the weekend.
Written by: Isaac Muk
New documentary revisits the radical history of UK free rave culture
Free Party: A Folk History — Directed by Aaron Trinder, it features first-hand stories from key crews including DiY, Spiral Tribe, Bedlam and Circus Warp, with public streaming available from May 30.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Rahim Fortune’s dreamlike vision of the Black American South
Reflections — In the Texas native’s debut solo show, he weaves familial history and documentary photography to challenge the region’s visual tropes.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Why Katy Perry’s space flight was one giant flop for mankind
Galactic girlbossing — In a widely-panned, 11-minute trip to the edge of the earth’s atmosphere, the ‘Women’s World’ singer joined an all-female space crew in an expensive vanity advert for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. Newsletter columnist Emma Garland explains its apocalypse indicating signs.
Written by: Emma Garland
Katie Goh: “I want people to engage with the politics of oranges”
Foreign Fruit — In her new book, the Edinburgh-based writer traces her personal history through the citrus fruit’s global spread, from a village in China to Californian groves. Angela Hui caught up with her to find out more.
Written by: Katie Goh
