STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION IX: A FAREWELL TO MY BATTLE SCARS BY ABI SALAMI
Greetings SMP fam! Hope you are having a fantastic week so far! This week’s Studio Manager Pick (SMP) vote was basically a landslide! Thank you to everyone who voted. You are truly making my life easier with one fewer decision to make! So without further ado… Check out Abi’s 2 minute interview to see this week’s pick!
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “A FAREWELL TO MY BATTLE SCARS”
A FAREWELL TO MY BATTLE SCARS
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
60 X 78 INCHES
2021
SOLD
Abi Salami at her Dallas studio, 2021
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION VIII: LETTING GO BY ABI SALAMI
Hi Everyone! Hope you’re summer is going well! This week’s vote was a very close one! ThE winner won by just ONE vote. So without further ado… Check out Abi’s 2 minute interview to see this week’s pick!
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “LETTING GO”
LETTING GO
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
48 X 36 INCHES
2020
SOLD
Work in progress photo of Letting Go by Abi Salami
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION VII: VERY STABLE GENIUS BY ABI SALAMI
Hi Everyone! Hope you’re staying cool! This week, you guys overwhelmingly chose Very Stable Genius, So without further ado… Check out Abi’s 90 second interview to learn more!
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “VERY STABLE GENIUS”
VERY STABLE GENIUS
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
60 X 48 INCHES
2019
Very Stable Genius on exhibition at Texas Vignette 2019 at the Women’s Museum Dallas.
YOU DECIDE NEXT WEEK’S PICK!
CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION VI: DISCONNECTED II BY ABI SALAMI
I am so excited about this week’s Studio Manager Pick (SMP) because I didn’t have to do any picking! No, seriously, thank you to everyone who voted for this week’s pick, you made my job much easier. The majority chose Disconnected II and I think it is such a great piece to cover this week because it shows Abi’s bold but cheeky character. This seemingly simple scene is deep with symbolism and meaning. Check out Abi’s 90 second interview to learn more!
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “DISCONNECTED II”
DISCONNECTED II
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
72 X 56 INCHES
2022
SOLD
Mis-Education of Boys and Girls, Jan 2023
YOU DECIDE NEXT WEEK’S PICK!
CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION V: MAMI WATA BY ABI SALAMI
Inspired by the recent release of the new Little Mermaid movie, I handpicked something truly special for our weekly video feature. Let me introduce you to Mami Wata—a captivating artwork from Abi's solo exhibition, "The Miseducation of Boys and Girls." This piece takes us back to the roots of mermaid mythology, reimagining the original mermaid herself. I couldn't resist delving deeper into its intriguing story. Join us for a fascinating 90-second interview, where Abi herself sheds light on her inspiration and the mesmerizing reimagining of this legendary deity. Trust me, this is one video you won't want to miss.
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “MAMI WATA”
MAMI WATA
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
50 X 37 X 1.0 INCHES
2022
ACQUIRED BY KENNY GOSS
Mis-Education of Boys and Girls, Jan 2023
YOU DECIDE NEXT WEEK’S PICK!
CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION IV: BARBIE WHO? BY ABI SALAMI
Greetings and welcome to the fourth edition of Studio Manager Picks! If you are new here, I am Kemi Akinmboni, Studio Manager at Abi Salami Studio and each week, I select a piece by Abi Salami that speaks to me and provide you with a deeper dive into the meaning behind the work. Keep reading to see this week’s featured piece.
BARBIE WHO?
ACRYLIC PAINT AND GOLD LEAF ON WATERCOLOR PAPER
30 X 22 INCHES
2021
$2500
In this week's edition of our Studio Manager Picks, I’ve decided to pick one of Abi’s works on paper. I was particularly drawn to Barbie Who because of its defiant and bold messaging. Abi is not the type of artist who is afraid of being provocative and that’s why I thought this week’s pick would be the perfect work to speak to her about. Check out her 90 second interview here!
WATCH ABI SALAMI TALK ABOUT HER PIECE “BARBIE WHO?”
The Power in the Graphic series, 2021
The Power in the Graphic, Beautiful was acquired by Jessica and Kelvin Beachum in 2022.
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION III: INVISIBLE PEDESTAL BY ABI SALAMI
Greetings and welcome to the third edition of Studio Manager Picks! If you are new here, I am Kemi Akinmboni, Studio Manager at Abi Salami Studio and each week I select a piece by Abi Salami that speaks to me and provide you with a deeper dive into the meaning behind the work. Keep reading to see this week’s featured piece.
INVISIBLE PEDESTAL
ACRYLIC PAINT ON CANVAS
24 X 18 INCHES
2018
$3000
In this week's edition of our Studio Manager Picks, we've decided to travel back in time to the early chapters of Abi Salami's artistic journey. Cast your mind back to 2018 when Abi bid farewell to a rising career in finance, plunging headfirst into the world of art. Today, we revisit "Invisible Pedestal," a compelling piece from Salami's debut series, "The Unforgiven Sins of Eve’s Apple". This series was first unveiled to an international audience at the Superfine Miami Art Fair during the prestigious Art Basel in Miami, Florida.
Abi Salami at Superfine Art Fair Miami during Art Basel Miami 2018.
"Invisible Pedestal" is a standout piece, drawing viewers in with its vibrant blue skies and bright, soft clouds. The series features female figures with apples for heads and no arms, creating a bold and memorable image. Drawing from famous artists like Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, and Salvador Dali, Abi adds her own twist to surrealism. What seems fun at first sight reveals a deeper, meaningful message upon closer inspection.
"The Unforgiven Sins of Eve’s Apple" confronts how women are viewed in Western society. It doesn't shy away from discussing the sexualization of women, shown by the armless female figures posed suggestively. Their apple heads and naked bodies highlight society's objectification and over-sexualization of the female form.
The Burning Giraffe, Salvador Dali, 1937
"The apples substituting heads symbolize society's distaste for women who dare to think for themselves. The bitten apple, which is a symbol I’ve used in my work for years, holds a biblical reference to Eve's first bite of the Forbidden Fruit, perceived as the original sin. This act has been incessantly exploited as an excuse for the unending atrocities committed against women, right up to the present day,"
“The absence of arms in these figures was an inspired nod to the statue Venus de Milo. Arms, at least on a surface level, represent self-sufficiency. By taking away their arms, these female figures are denied the ability to be self-reliant, shape their own future, or drive necessary change in their lives. The women are overly sexualized, provocative, yet utterly devoid of thought and helpless," - Abi Salami
Venus de Milo
It's interesting to note that "Unforgiven Sins," a piece from this very series, was acquired by the well-known art collector Norbert Simmons in Miami Beach.
I trust that this week's spotlight on "Invisible Pedestal" was as enlightening for you as it was for me. Reflecting on our past Studio Manager Picks, it's remarkable to observe the evolution of Abi Salami's work. What stands out, however, is the consistent use of symbols such as the apple and high heels, elements that have become integral to Salami's unique artistic language. This consistency emphasizes Salami's unwavering commitment to address bold, thought-provoking, and at times controversial themes with an unrivaled level of execution.
As we continue to explore and appreciate the depth and breadth of Abi's art, we invite you to participate actively in this artistic voyage. Share your insights, reactions, or perspectives on her work. Let's engage in dialogue, stimulate thought, and challenge norms together. Dive in, explore more of Abi's portfolio, and join us in celebrating the transformative power of art. Remember, every conversation and shared thought enriches our collective understanding and experience of contemporary art. Let's keep the conversation going.
STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION II: A LOOMING MEMORY BY ABI SALAMI
Greetings and welcome to the second edition of Studio Manager Picks! If you are new here, I am Kemi Akinmboni, Studio Manager at Abi Salami Studio and each week I select a piece by Abi Salami that speaks to me and provide you with a deeper dive into the meaning behind the work. Keep reading to see this week’s featured piece.
A Looming Memory by Abi Salami, 78 x 57 inches, 2022, Dallas, Texas, $16,000
For this week’s Studio Manager Pick, I’ve chosen a piece from Abi’s first group international exhibition in Berlin, Germany, A Looming Memory. It is an immediately striking piece from the confident poses of the women, to the mysterious elements, such as the mirror and the bleeding dagger that immediately drew me in. It is instantly enchanting while remaining mystical and unapologetically feminine. Keep reading to find out what Abi had to say about this stunning piece.
Abi Salami at Galerie Droste’s Chronicles 5 exhibition with her piece A Looming Memory in Berlin. Germany (September 2022)
“A Looming Memory was born as a reaction to Roe vs Wade being overturned by the US Supreme Court in 2022. As a woman and an artist, my initial reaction was to use my work to express my anger and frustration, but overtime I started to feel a piercing numbness. During my younger years living in Nigeria, I always thought that the US was this amazing place where things worked and justice prevailed, in contrast to Nigeria which seemed riddled with infrastructural issues and deep-seated corruption. So, to see Roe v Wade overturned felt like the land beneath me had evaporated and I was in a free fall.”
The Death of Orpheus by Emile Jean Baptiste Philippe Bin (French, 1825-1897)
“In response, I absconded into my imagination and memory. I thought of the Maenads, the so-called wild women of the Greek god Dionysus. For ancient Greeks, the Maenads represented the danger of women left unchaperoned by male authority, but their defiant personality has made them subjects of interest for artist and sculptors through out the ages. However, most of these artists have been male (the male gaze has entered the chat). With all the emotions I was feeling at the time, it seemed fitting to give these women a different context, a female gaze. I reimagined them as strong confident women, who do what is necessary to maintain their freedom, both politically and sexually. I wanted the piece to be unabashedly feminine yet strong. Balancing the two in the piece was definitely a challenge.”
Process video for A Looming Memory by Nigerian American visual artist Abi Salami
“Also at that time, I was struggling with wanting to be freer in my artistic process. Prior to this piece, I would have every last detail drawn out on my iPad before I moved to the canvas. For this piece, I only drew out the poses of the women and the general layout, but for the details, I decided to challenge myself to figure it out as I was painting. It was one of the most unnerving experiences I had in my Dallas art studio. It took me twice as long to finish it because I kept doubting myself. I love looking at this piece now, because I am proud of myself for just trying to break free. Once I moved to New York a few months later, this piece would be the foundation I needed to truly break away from the iPad and trust in myself and my ability to not only paint but execute.”
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STUDIO MANAGER PICKS EDITION I: “A RE-EDUCATION” BY ABI SALAMI
Welcome to Studio Manager Picks Edition I. I am Kemi Akinmboni, Studio Manager at Abi Salami Studio, and each week I will be featuring a work by Abi that speaks to me and gives you a deeper dive into the meaning behind the piece. Hopefully, you will enjoy this new edition as much as we did creating it!
A Re-Education, acrylic paint on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, 2022, $4000
For this week’s Studio Manager Pick, I have selected “A Re-Education”. The first time I saw this piece, I connected with it immediately and was intrigued by the strong use of symbolism from the slightly unsettling smiles of the blonde Barbies to the superimposed head of a Benin Bronze statue looking defiantly at the viewer. It is clear that Salami is making a strong statement about societal beauty standards and her personal experiences. Keep reading to learn what Abi had to say about “A Re-Education”
Abi Salami with her little sister (circa 1990)
“As a young girl growing up in Nigeria, I remember idolizing white dolls - white, blonde, blue eyed. Like many young girls, I believed that this idealized Euro-centric image represented true beauty. It didn't help that there was such a a lack of representation for women who looked like me being seen as beautiful. Sexual, yes, but not like a beauty that needs to be protected.
Then, a couple of year ago, I discovered the Benin Bronze statues that had been stolen from Yoruba people by the colonizers and was immediately shocked by how much of myself I saw in them. It turns out that these beautiful, intricate sculptures were created using techniques that originated in Nigeria. This realization rocked the foundation of my core knowledge about myself and my heritage. I have been educated in a colonial, white supremacist educational system that stopped just short of saying Africans in no way contributed to the advancement of humanity. Upon realizing this deliberate mis-education, I decided I needed a re-education that told the silenced history of my ancestors.” - Abi Salami
Ife head: Brass head of a ruler, 1300–1450, brass, made in Ife (© Trustees of the British Museum)
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