Art as Liberation: A Journey Towards Collective Healing

Featured Artists:

Ifrah Mansour, Mohamed Hersi, Tariq Tarey, Yasmin Yassin, Khadija Charif, Aesha Mohamed, and Abdurahman Ali 

This project aims to guide viewers through a journey of care and liberation, weaving individual and collective narratives to foster profound connections. Inspired by the insights of Chioneso et al. (2020), who advocate for integrating personal healing within communal frameworks for impactful transformation, the exhibition serves as a space for enriching conversations and transcending traditional artistic boundaries. Through this project , the artists explore various facets of radical healing, embracing concepts such as critical consciousness, collective solidarity, and the cultivation of resilience against adversities.

About the Artists:

—Dunta Taxan, an ongoing project by photographer and filmmaker Tariq Tarey, explores the intersection of culture, commerce, and community at Columbus, Ohio's Global Mall, in collaboration with the Somali Museum of Minnesota.Rooted in Tarey’s documentary background, Dunta Taxan presents black-and-white photographs capturing the vibrant essence of Somali entrepreneurship and cultural identity within the marketplace.

The exhibition highlights the significance of 'material culture' in immigrant communities, showcasing how commerce shapes cultural identity through valued artifacts, from intricately woven textiles to traditional handicrafts and jewelry. Moreover, Dunta Taxan serves as a testament to commerce's enduring role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering social cohesion among Somali entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of commercial ventures and cultural assimilation within the Global Mall. 

—Start-Us One is a group exhibition featuring the works of Abdurahman Ali, Aesha Mohamed, Khadija Charif, and Yasmin Yassin, offering a nuanced exploration of their Somali-Minnesotan experiences. This show invites viewers to experience how each artist interprets and portrays the world around them using lens-based portrait photography. 

Through this exhibition, viewers are invited to contemplate the collective impact that these distinct voices strive to achieve within contemporary photography. By juxtaposing their works, the show prompts reflection on shared societal norms, individual approaches, and broader themes in portraiture, offering a glimpse into the complexities of identity and expression in Somali-Minnesotan art.

—Xididnimo unites the immersive installation, The Healing Aqal (Hut), by Ifrah Mansour, and the poignant series of paintings, Dear Love, by Mohamed Hersi. Mansour's piece, inspired by her identity as a Somali refugee, invites reflection on communal resilience amidst adversity, merging traditional Somali weaving techniques with contemporary expression. In contrast, Hersi's minimalist paintings delve into the absence of love amidst global grief, prompting viewers to confront the complexities of human emotion.

Together, Mansour and Hersi offer viewers a space for introspection and dialogue, challenging them to reimagine community and care through the lens of love and solidarity. The exhibition serves as a testament to the universal human experience and the resilience inherent in facing hardship. Through their respective mediums, Mansour and Hersi foster connections that nurture compassion and strength in the present moment.  

Gallery Hours:

Sat & Sun 1 – 5 PM