Exhibition date: Jul 6 - Aug 12, 2023
First Thursday Opening: Jul 6 from 5 - 9 PM
In-Person Artist Talk: Sat, Jul 8, 2 PM
Rebecca Marimutu’s exhibition, “Portraits, Adhered”, strives to challenge conventional notions of photography, disrupt material hierarchies, and explore the depths of self-examination. Through this creative exploration, Marimutu uncovers new possibilities for expression, blurring the lines between mediums and expanding the horizons of photography and sculpture. By examining the image of herself as a landscape for abstraction and deconstruction, she invites viewers to embark on a journey of introspection and contemplation.
Rebecca Marimutu (American, b. 1994, she/her/hers) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores themes of identity, memory, and cultural hybridity. Born in a diverse and multicultural environment, Marimutu draws inspiration from her experiences growing up in different countries and navigating the complexities of multiple cultural identities.
Marimutu's artistic practice spans various mediums, including photography, installation, and mixed media. Her work often challenges traditional notions of representation and seeks to disrupt the established hierarchies within the art world. Through her exploration of materiality and innovative techniques, Marimutu pushes the boundaries of her chosen mediums to create thought-provoking and visually engaging artworks.
Central to Marimutu's artistic process is the deconstruction and reconstruction of identity. She utilizes fragmentation and abstraction as visual languages to challenge fixed and essentialist understandings of self. By breaking apart and rearranging elements, Marimutu constructs new narratives and opens up dialogues around the complex nature of individual and collective identities.
In her ongoing series Portrait(s), Marimutu employs nontraditional photographic methods, emphasizing the tactile nature of the photographic object and blurring the line between photography and sculpture. Through these material interventions, Marimutu explores the possibilities of representation, inviting viewers to question their assumptions and engage with the complexities of identity formation.
Marimutu's work also seeks to subvert the traditional gaze of photography, reclaiming agency over her representation. She disrupts the objectification inherent in the medium by taking self-portraits and challenging power dynamics. The fragmentation and abstraction in her artworks distance the viewer from the traditional gaze, encouraging them to examine their preconceived notions and narratives critically.
Her work has been shown at Spring/Break Art Fair in New York, Waller Gallery, Catalyst Contemporary, Black Artists Research Space, and Eubie Blake Cultural Center in Baltimore, MD. Currently, she is a professor at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and Towson University and the founder of Anchovy Press, an independent publishing company based in Baltimore dedicated to storytelling that centers BIPOC experiences. Through her practice, Marimutu aims to inspire a reimagining of art forms, encourage inclusive representation, and provoke meaningful conversations about the complexities of identity in a globalized world.
Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat, 12-5 PM