In the exhibition "Poetics of Dimension" at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco, guest curator Larry Ossei-Mensah showcases the works of 11 diverse artists who creatively use found objects to explore cultural dialogues. Notably, Shinque Smith’s "Bale Variant No 0014" and Nari Ward’s "The Martyrs of the Race Course" exemplify how assemblage art can reflect personal and collective histories, particularly related to slavery in the United States. The works engage audiences through their visual complexity and emotional depth, making poignant statements about identity and social connections.
In Ward's "The Martyrs of the Race Course" (2023), each lace embodies narratives surrounding race, with the meticulously arranged threads drawing connections to personal and communal histories.
Smith's "Bale Variant No 0014" (2008) transforms a mass of clothing into an anthropomorphic form, evoking collective memories and the legacy of slavery through its materiality.
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