Hannah Traore Gallery Explores Selfhood in ‘Who? Me?’ Group Show

Summary

  • ‘Who? Me?’ showcases new self-portraits across media by global contemporary artists
  • Centered on Samuel Fosso’s work, the show explores identity and cultural resistance

Hannah Traore Gallery presents “Who? Me?“, a collective exhibition focusing on self-portraits from different perspectives and the array of techniques employed to produce them. This exhibition, orchestrated by gallery founder Hannah Traore in collaboration with Gallery Manager Morgan Mitchell, encompasses painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. The display challenges conventional self-portrait ideas, emphasizing its conceptual, sculptural, and performative aspects.

As a passionate admirer, let me share that this exhibition showcases remarkable pieces by artists such as Kesewa Aboah, Turiya Adkins, Bre Andy, Yagazie Emezi, Arlina Cai, Renee Cox, Camila Falquez, Alanna Fields, Samuel Fosso, Luzene Hill, Misha Japanwala, OLUSEYE, and Anya Paintsil. What’s truly captivating is that a significant number of these masterpieces were crafted exclusively for this display, making their public debut here for the very first time.

The exhibition, centered around Samuel Fosso’s timeless black-and-white portraits from the 1970s Central African Republic, engages his heritage in a dialogue with contemporary interpretations by artists such as Japanwala and Paintsil. Japanwala’s sculptures convey a tangible sense of physical presence, while Paintsil redefines individuality through abstract textile artistry.

Drawing inspiration from Traore’s undergraduate studies, “Who Am I?” delves into self-portraiture as a means for visibility and assertion of authorship. Transforming from therapeutic outlet to act of defiance, the artist’s work serves as a platform for memory and resistance, emphasizing the lasting impact of self-portraiture on identity formation.

Hannah Traore Gallery
150 Orchard St.
New York, NY 10002

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2025-06-10 22:25