Never scared of helping a brother, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x90cm/48x36in
Three in a row, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x90cm/48x36in
Chef Aziz, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 180x120cm/72x48in
Musa, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 30x30cm/12x12in
The last of our own, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x180cm/48x72in
Roof of Annakhi (I), 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x90cm/48x36in
Roof of Annakhil (II), 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x90cm/48x36in
A final draw, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 120x90cm/48x36in
Bittersweet, 2021
Acrylic on canvas, 30x30cm/12x12in
My thoughts tell me tales
ATM Gallery, New York, US
June 3 - 27, 2021
My Thoughts Tell Me Tales is a solo exhibition by London-based artist Soimadou Ibrahim. Inspired by a song by the Tuareg group Tinariwen, the exhibition explores the significance of personal memory and the stories embedded within everyday moments. Through a series of intimate figurative paintings, Ibrahim reflects on experiences that may appear ordinary at first glance but are, in reality, deeply meaningful and unique to those who lived them.
Drawing primarily from archival family photographs and images captured during his travels and daily life, Ibrahim creates works that celebrate the richness of life's simple pleasures. A mother peeling a freshly picked orange for her son, a walk through a village after months of lockdown, or a fleeting smile shared between loved ones become enduring markers of affection, connection, and belonging. These moments, though seemingly modest, carry emotional weight and reveal the quiet beauty found in everyday existence.
The exhibition's title reflects the artist's interest in memory as both a personal archive and a source of storytelling. Each painting acts as a visual fragment of a larger narrative, preserving experiences that continue to shape identity long after they have passed. Through these works, Ibrahim invites viewers to reflect on their own memories and consider how seemingly insignificant moments can become treasured parts of our personal histories.
Painting emerged as a natural extension of Ibrahim's creative practice following a visit to Corvi-Mora in 2019, where he encountered the work of Lynette Yiadom-Boakye for the first time. Struck by the scale, presence, and psychological depth of the paintings, he began to consider how his background in graphic design could be translated from the screen into a physical medium. Seeking a more tactile and direct relationship with image-making, he turned to painting as a way to explore personal narratives and emotional experiences.
The figures that populate Ibrahim's paintings are often family members, friends, and people close to him. While rooted in real relationships and experiences, the artist intentionally leaves room for interpretation, encouraging viewers to form their own narratives rather than relying on specific biographical details. This openness allows the works to move between the personal and the universal, creating points of connection that extend beyond the artist's own experiences.
Titles play an important role in Ibrahim's practice. Although they may appear simple or understated, they often reference specific memories and carry meanings that resonate deeply with the artist. In this way, titles become an extension of the storytelling process, offering subtle clues while preserving a sense of mystery.
Alongside his continued exploration of memory, family, and everyday life, Ibrahim is interested in expanding his practice to address new themes, including sport and football. Yet regardless of subject matter, his work remains grounded in an attentive observation of human relationships and the emotional significance of shared experiences.
Often accompanied by the sounds of Malian musicians such as Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté, and Tinariwen, Ibrahim's painting process is one of reflection and remembrance. My Thoughts Tell Me Tales ultimately serves as a meditation on the persistence of memory and the value of preserving the stories that shape us. Through scenes of tenderness, joy, and quiet contemplation, the exhibition celebrates the extraordinary depth that can be found within the ordinary moments of everyday life.