Apollo Magazine

Tschabalala Self: By My Self

The American artist’s richly layered depictions of Black female figures are in the spotlight at Baltimore Museum of Art

Tschabalala Self in her studio. Photo: Madeleine-Hunt Ehrlich

Tschabalala Self in her studio. Photo: Madeleine-Hunt Ehrlich

While some museums are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo’s usual weekly pick of exhibitions will include shows at institutions that are currently open as well as digital projects providing virtual access to art and culture.

With 13 paintings produced over the last five years, this display at Baltimore Museum of Art reveals how Tschabalala Self has developed her exploration of cultural representations of the Black female form. Stencils, stitches, tracings, prints and casts are layered on top of one another in her canvases, creating formally audacious and complex works. A highlight of this display is a new series of three works responding to Henri Matisse’s sculpture Two Women (previously known as Two Negresses), which is in the BMA’s collection; also included are two of Self’s sculptures. Find out more about the exhibition, which runs 28 March–19 September, from the BMA’s website.

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Carpet (2020), Tschabalala Self. Private Collection

Sock (2018), Tschabalala Self. Courtesy Tschabalala Self Studio

Two Women (2019), Tschabalala Self. Rubell Museum, Miami

Loner (2016), Tschabalala Self. Craig Robins Collection

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