Single, Taken 2023

Curator: Joana Choumali's "Single, Taken," presents us with a compelling portrait suspended from above, its scale dominating the space at over two and a half meters. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is how raw it feels, almost unfinished with those threads dangling down where his legs should be. Curator: Choumali often uses embroidery to merge photography with textile art, a technique we see employed here to explore ideas around identity and representation. Editor: It reads like a defiant, hyper-visible assertion of self, framed by that t-shirt. What does "in the garage working on my defender" even mean in this context? Curator: That's the interesting question, isn't it? It perhaps hints at labor, resilience, and self-reliance, particularly within the context of West African economies. The Defender vehicle is an icon. Editor: And the threads? They almost look like roots, grounding him, despite the ephemeral nature of the photographic image. It brings the complexities of modern African life into sharp focus. Curator: Indeed. The piece serves as a potent reminder that art acts as a mirror reflecting societal norms and individual experiences back at us. Editor: Absolutely, offering a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on visibility, identity and status.