erd — Soimadou Ibrahim

Blessing in disguise
Galerie ERD, Seoul, SK
May 2024

This new selection of works combines figurative elements with hints of abstraction. Concrete lines cut through the canvas or subjects, as little pockets of life’s chapters, to highlight the power of persistence through a more simplified aesthetic. In others, chaotic drips of colour challenge the soft strokes of acrylic, alluding to unforeseen hurdles that may come your way. These paintings weave reality and deception, hinting at the need for perseverance so that the illusion of misfortune is in the end overshadowed by triumph.

The use of ink was a deliberate choice; its uncertain characteristic lends itself to being the perfect medium for embracing imperfections and unpredictability, which Ibrahim was eager to explore. The artist intended to concede control and let the ink create its own path, a stark contrast to his familiar uniform strokes of acrylic paint. With less texture and the glowing hues of ink taking prominence, these new works are gently punctuated with a new signature.

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