"Coumba Samba's Artwork Explores the Miscommunication of Intimacy"
Coumba Samba's Immersive Art Explores Global Politics and Cultural Exchange
Coumba Samba, a Senegalese-American contemporary artist, is making waves in the art world with her thought-provoking and immersive installations that delve deeply into international politics and globalization. Her work, which often blurs the lines between art and ritual, invites audiences to experience history in a physical, immersive way rather than just intellectually.
Samba's recent solo show at London's Arcadia Missa, titled "Dress Code", featured a set of wall-mounted radiators painted in monochromes. The radiators, according to Samba, were intended to speak to global supply chains, both material and ideological. An accompanying booklet for the show included an essay by dealer Mischa Lustin addressing the topic of "red gas" (petroleum exported from Russia), highlighting the political undertones of Samba's work.
In her installations, Samba often pays homage to specific sources, such as the colours of an ensemble her sister wore during her modeling days. However, without the sentimental details, her work can sometimes feel cold and impersonal.
Samba's transnational lifestyle, spent in New York, Senegal, and various European cities, greatly influences her work. This is evident in her ongoing engagement with political and cultural themes, as showcased in her presence in European art spaces. Her work reflects on themes like colonial legacies and global cultural exchanges, reflecting on how history, power, and identity are intertwined on a global scale.
Samba's work extends beyond visual art, incorporating ritualistic experience, sound, and scent to evoke a deeper understanding of global interconnectedness. For instance, in her 2024 show at Empire gallery, a livestream of UN summits was a part of the installation. The gallery is located near the UN's New York headquarters, further emphasizing her interest in global political discourse.
Samba has also shown interest in the United Nations General Assembly. One of the poles in her "Dress Code" show prominently featured red, white, and blue, which Samba associated with "colonial powers". The poles were painted with colored bands of irregular sizes, referring to national flags.
Looking ahead, Samba will show new work at the Kunsthalle in Basel in September 2024. Her unique approach to art and her commitment to exploring complex global themes make her a compelling figure in the contemporary art world.
- Coumba Samba's art installation in the upcoming show at Empire gallery in New York will feature a livestream of UN summits, aligning with her interest in global political discourse.
- The poles in Coumba Samba's "Dress Code" exhibition represented "colonial powers" through their use of red, white, and blue, with colored bands of irregular sizes referring to national flags.
- Apart from visual art, Samba's work encompasses ritualistic experiences, sound, and scent to stimulate a deeper comprehension of global interconnectedness.
- The political undertones in Coumba Samba's work were addressed in an essay by dealer Mischa Lustin in the booklet for her show titled "Dress Code," where he highlighted the topic of "red gas" exported from Russia.
