Nicola Vassell Gallery presents "Bedimmed Boundaries" by Wangari Mathenge

Wangari Mathenge’s latest exhibition, "Bedimmed Boundaries: Between Wakefulness and Sleep," opens a doorway into the complexities of altered states of consciousness. 

Installation View of Bedimmed Boundaries: Between Wakefulness and Sleep at Nicola Vassell Gallery. Photo: Lance Brewer

The exhibition centres on two psychological phenomena through Mathenge’s innovative paintings and video installations: hypnagogia, the transition from wakefulness to sleep, and hypnopompia, the transition from sleep to wakefulness. Mathenge’s work reflects her personal experiences during these states, showcasing how they influence perception and self-representation.

Wangari Mathenge, Fool's Errand (Bedimmed Boundaries), 2024, oil on canvas, 55 x 85 in 139.7 x 215.9 cm, signed and dated on verso. Image Courtesy: Nicola Vassell

To create this series, Mathenge documented her late-night movements with cameras and recorded her dreams in a notebook. This approach allows her to translate the fluidity of her subconscious into a visual language that challenges traditional associations with the sleeping body. Through a series of self-portraits, she captures her body in various states of repose, depicting the nuances of her semi-lucid dreams.

Wangari Mathenge, Drop the Dungarees (Bedimmed Boundaries), 2024, oil on canvas, 70 x 82 in, 177.8 x 208.3 cm, signed and dated on verso. Image Courtesy: Nicola Vassell

Mathenge’s vibrant colour palette shifts from bright yellows and greens to deep ochres and mosses, mirroring the passage of time and emotional depth within her work. Her paintings juxtapose austere scenes with dynamic brushstrokes, evoking a sense of movement and energy that reflects the complexity of her inner world.

Wangari Mathenge, Lost (Bedimmed Boundaries), 2024, oil on canvas, 68 ⅛ x 120 in, 173 x 304.8 cm, signed and dated on verso. Image Courtesy: Nicola Vassell

Born in Nairobi, Kenya, and now based in Chicago, Mathenge’s work renders a unique perspective on the black female experience, navigating the intersections of traditional African culture and the Diaspora. Her previous exhibitions have garnered recognition, with works held in prominent collections including the Hirshhorn Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art.

"Bedimmed Boundaries" challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of consciousness, identity, and the nature of reality. The opening reception was held on September 5 at Nicola Vassell Gallery, New York and will run until October 19, 2024. 

Video Source: Nicola Vassell - Credit Line: ©Wangari Mathenge. Courtesy of the artist and Nicola Vassell Gallery. Video Credit: Dan Swindel. Image Courtesy: Nicola Vassell