Awol Erizku: Quaquaversal at Ben Brown Fine Arts

Seemingly colorful and bright, the exhibition is a deeply critical act of cultural reclamation and a dialogue on the current sociopolitical landscape. Neon signs and bold paintings are showcased over printed photographs of the graffiti in LA. Repurposed logos include the ones by firearms manufacturers, a grim reminder of the issue of gun violence in the US. The image of Queen Nefertiti, a recurring figure in Awol Erizku’s oeuvre, is reimagined into a series of bronze sculptures. Encased into the “safe space”, sculptures remind the viewer of the actual bust being kept in Berlin against the claims of Egypt, and suggest a safe space for a discussion of colonial narratives.
Continually questioning and challenging Eurocentric ideology and historical angle, the artist reframes the ownership of cultural heritage, offering a powerful Afrocentric vision that reframes global discussions on history, identity, and artistic authorship.

Exhibition period: 20.11–8.03
Gallery address: 2/F, The Factory, Wong Chuk Hang