Art enthusiasts, mark your calendars! From May 25 to October 13, 2024, the Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas, will host a captivating exhibition: Awol Erizku: Mystic Parallax. Photo above is “Girl with a Bamboo Earring” (cropped) by Awol Erizku
This unique showcase brings together an array of photographs, paintings, sculptures, installations, and soundscapes that delve into contemporary Black culture, spirituality, and Surrealism.
Curated by Sarah Meister (Aperture), Alejo Benedetti, and Elise Raborg (both from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary), this exhibition extends the boundaries of visual art, celebrating over a decade of Erizku’s compelling work.
Awol Erizku’s art practice, which spans multiple mediums including photography, film, video, painting, and installation, intricately blends art history, personal narratives, and Pan-African symbolism.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Erizku’s first monograph, also titled Mystic Parallax (2023), co-published by Aperture and the Momentary.
Erizku’s artistry re-imagines African American visual culture, from the hip-hop vernacular to the majestic imagery of Nefertiti, infused with elements of spirituality and Surrealism.
Highlights include his striking portraits of Black icons such as Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, and Michael B. Jordan.
Among the standout pieces, visitors will find a six-foot mirrored bust of Nefertiti casting a galaxy of light, a seventy-five-foot collage of iconic and new works, and a mesmerizing installation called Celestial Bloom.
This piece features a Cessna 150 airplane suspended mid-air, adorned with vibrant flowers arranged by Sarah Erizku, the artist’s wife.
Erizku’s vision transcends traditional art history, driven by a profound connection to cultural evolution. “This line of thinking often leads me back to music,” Erizku explains.
“Creating imagery inspired by lyrics or subcultures comes from a place of reverence and deep understanding. I aim to elevate these influences, honoring their significance while pushing boundaries.”
To celebrate the opening, Erizku will DJ alongside Kitty Ca$h at an afterparty following John Legend’s concert on June 1. The day promises free events, including a book signing and a screening of Erizku’s film Serendipity. Admission to the exhibition is free, and the Mystic Parallax book is available for purchase on Aperture’s website.
Awol Erizku: A Short Biography
Awol Erizku, born in Ethiopia in 1988, is a renowned conceptual artist who lives and works between New York and Los Angeles.
Erizku’s diverse practice encompasses photography, painting, sculpture, installation, and film, exploring themes of Black identity, cultural history, and spirituality. He graduated from Cooper Union in 2010 and earned his MFA from the Yale School of Art in 2014.
Erizku’s work has been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto, and Night Gallery in Los Angeles.
His art critically engages with and reinterprets African American visual culture, blending references from hip-hop to ancient Egyptian imagery.
Known for his striking portraits of cultural icons like Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, and Michael B. Jordan, Erizku seamlessly merges personal narrative with broader cultural symbols.
His first monograph, Mystic Parallax (2023), showcases over a decade of his innovative work. Erizku continues to push artistic boundaries, drawing connections between art history and contemporary cultural evolution, making him a significant figure in the contemporary art scene.
About the Momentary
Opened in February 2020 in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Momentary is a dynamic platform for contemporary art, music, and food. An extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, it aims to foster creativity and community engagement.
With free admission, the Momentary features live performances, visual and performing arts, culinary experiences, and more. For details, visit theMomentary.org.
About Aperture
Aperture, founded in 1952, is a New York-based nonprofit that supports photographers through publications, exhibitions, and public programs. It promotes photography’s role in fostering curiosity and a just society. Learn more at aperture.org.
Awol Erizku: Mystic Parallax is made possible by sponsors like Coca-Cola, Deborah Wright, Tony Waller, and the Momentary’s Artist Book Committee. Special thanks to Sean Kelly Gallery and Ben Brown Fine Arts.
Don’t miss the chance to experience Awol Erizku’s mesmerizing world at the Momentary this summer!
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