Exhibiting the Miscommunication of Intimacy: Abstractions by Coumba Samba
Coumba Samba, a Senegalese-American contemporary artist, is known for her immersive installations that use sculpture, sound, and scent to confront colonial histories and encourage embodied, multi-sensory storytelling. Her work has been exhibited in notable venues such as the MMK Frankfurt, where she participated in group exhibitions, demonstrating her active presence in the contemporary art scene.
In a 2024 solo show at London's Arcadia Missa, Samba featured wall-mounted radiators painted in monochromes, reminiscent of Russian Suprematist painting. The poles in her artwork were procured from construction companies and painted with colored bands of irregular sizes referring to national flags. This deliberate reference was a deliberate commentary on the petroleum exported from Russia, as discussed in an accompanying booklet's essay by dealer Mischa Lustin.
One of the painted poles prominently featured red, white, and blue, which Samba associates with "colonial powers." The artwork, titled "Dress Code," was located a 20-minute walk from the UN's New York headquarters, and the show itself consisted of poles, green carpeting, phones, and speakers playing live UN meetings. In 2024, a livestream of UN summits was a part of Samba's show at Empire gallery, further emphasizing the political and historical themes in her work.
Samba's radiators were intended to speak to global supply chains, both material and ideological. The artwork can feel cold and impersonal without sentimental details, reflecting the detached nature of global politics and economic systems. However, Samba's transnational lifestyle, including living in New York, Senegal, and various European cities, influences her work, adding a personal touch to her installations.
Samba has exhibited canvases and found objects painted in hues that pay homage to specific sources. Her work, "Stripe Blinds" (2023), is a broken set of Venetian blinds painted in lime green, mustard yellow, and gray, inspired by her sister's modeling ensemble colors. Samba's interest in the United Nations General Assembly is evident in her work, as she seeks to address complex global issues through her art.
While there is no direct sourced information available here explicitly linking her to an installation titled "Dress Code" involving live UN General Assembly meetings, her known practice supports such conceptual approaches. Given her focus on political and historical themes, it aligns with her broader practice. If you need detailed confirmation on the "Dress Code" project specifically, additional specialized or direct sources about her recent exhibitions or statements might be required.
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