Exhibition Dates: 19 – 25 February 2025
Private View: Thursday, 20 February, 6-9 PM
Venue: J/M Gallery, Notting Hill, London
J/M Gallery is proud to present “Belonging & Becoming”, a solo exhibition by contemporary British African-Caribbean artist Malaina Joseph-Sobers. This powerful collection explores themes of migration, memory, and identity through abstract, layered compositions that invite deep reflection on personal and collective transformation.
Drawing from her own journey from Guyana to London, Joseph-Sobers contrasts her experience with that of the Windrush generation, creating a compelling dialogue between past and present. Her work captures the tension of displacement and belonging, using textured, monochromatic elements reminiscent of nighttime in Guyana, interwoven with vibrant bursts of color that evoke childhood memories of fishing trips, jumbie stories, and the earthy scent of rain on hot soil.
Raised in Guyana after being born in Suriname, the artist’s perspective is shaped by the post-colonial unraveling of the 1990s, a time of heightened cultural polarization. Moving to London at sixteen, she found herself navigating an evolving urban identity while holding onto her Guyanese heritage. These themes manifest in her work as “mindscapes”, abstract representations that blend physical and imagined environments, allowing viewers to engage with their own personal histories of migration and transformation.
Joseph-Sobers employs techniques such as dabbing, blending, and layering, creating rich textures that echo the layered nature of memory and identity. She draws inspiration from sfumato, a Renaissance painting technique, to symbolize the complex layering of personal and cultural narratives.
J/M Gallery, located on Portobello Road, serves as the perfect backdrop for this exhibition, given its historical significance as a multicultural hub shaped by generations of migrants. “Belonging & Becoming” offers an immersive experience that resonates with themes of tradition, innovation, loss, and self-discovery.
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