Located a short distance from the Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street in New York City, ‘Projects 110: Michael Armitage’ presents a compelling exhibition of eight paintings. Artist Michael Armitage describes these works as an exploration of “parallel cultural histories,” reflecting his broader artistic interest in the dialogue between contemporary visual culture, art history, and the evolving legacy of modernism from a non-Western perspective. Born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1984, and educated in London, Armitage operates between these two pivotal cities, each profoundly shaping his creative process.
Armitage’s artistic inspirations span European avant-garde movements and East African modernists, including notable figures like Meek Gichugu, Chelenge, and Jak Katarikawe. This East African influence is not merely thematic but extends to his materials. Armitage uniquely employs lubugo, a Ugandan fabric derived from fig-tree bark, as a canvas alternative. He encountered this material in Nairobi in 2010. Through this fusion of diverse materials and cultural artistic languages, Armitage celebrates a vibrant lineage of narrative, abstraction, and color, paying tribute to the intricate and rich history of painting itself.
Within this collection of work, Armitage navigates between realms of reality and surrealism, celebration and unease. His art intertwines personal Kenyan memories with media portrayals of East Africa, weaving the intimate and mundane into a complex tapestry of socio-political dynamics. These compositions serve as a critical examination of how political journalism, African identities, and the concept of the body politic are circulated within global economic systems, shedding light on the often-tense relationship between Africa and the West.
Michael Armitage's Seraph (2017), featured in 'Projects 110' exhibition near the Museum of Modern Art, West 53rd Street, NYC, showcasing his blend of European and East African artistic influences.
This significant exhibition is a partnership between The Studio Museum in Harlem, The Museum of Modern Art, and MoMA PS1. ‘Projects 110: Michael Armitage’ is organized by Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, and Legacy Russell, Associate Curator at The Studio Museum in Harlem, highlighting the collaborative spirit within New York’s leading art institutions, not far from the renowned Museum of Modern Art on West 53rd Street.
The Elaine Dannheisser Projects Series is supported in part by the Elaine Dannheisser Foundation and The Junior Associates of The Museum of Modern Art, underscoring the MoMA’s commitment to fostering contemporary art and exhibitions like ‘Projects 110: Michael Armitage’.
