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.
