EXHIBI­TIONS

THE CLEARING

Curated by Ekow Eshun for space Un, “The Clearing” explores themes of kinship, connection, and collective memory in paintings by contemporary artists from the African diaspora. Inspired by a scene in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved (1987) in which Black townsfolk gather in a forest clearing to love and care for one another beyond the gaze of a hostile world, the exhibition considers communal gathering as an act of resistance, restoration, and creation. Rather than centering spectacle or resistance alone, “The Clearing” invites viewers to witness Black subjectivity as expansive and sovereign, as capable of dreaming, becoming, and remaking the world. In this sanctuary of care and quiet power, the unseen becomes visible, and Black life is honored in its full emotional and spiritual complexity. Amiri Baraka once wrote “Let the world be a Black poem”—and in “The Clearing,” it is.

SPACE UN

Established in 2024, space Un is a new platform for promoting contemporary African art in Japan and Asia. Reflecting founder Edna Dumas’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange between Japan, the countries of Africa, and the African diaspora, space Un’s exhibitions develop out of a residency program that invites artists to conduct research and produce works in Japan. The space supports further cultural dialogue by hosting interdisciplinary events, such as music performances and readings.