Over the last four decades, British artist Lubaina Himid has embraced significant inquiries. How can the African diaspora be more prominently recognized globally? What are the lasting impacts of colonialism and slavery? What actions can be pursued regarding hunger, imprisonment, warfare?
Despite dealing with such weighty themes, Himid’s creations frequently incorporate wit, her rustic figuration rendered in vivid, intense tones. Her artwork and installations have a knack for drawing the viewer in. “You’re invited into the dialogue,” shares Himid, 70.
A prominent figure in the British Black Arts Movement of the 1980s and ’90s, Himid has showcased her work broadly and received numerous esteemed honors, such as the Turner Prize in 2017 and a CBE recognition in 2018. Recently, she was honored with the Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize, leading to “Lubaina Himid: Make Do and Mend,” currently exhibited at the FLAG Art Foundation in New York. (The exhibition was co-presented by The Contemporary Austin, where it premiered earlier this year.)
“Make Do and Mend” features two fresh series of work: a collection of what she refers to as her Strategy Paintings, and a sculptural array of 64 vibrant, anthropomorphized planks titled Aunties. These pieces are displayed along the walls of FLAG, framed by the city’s sparkling architecture and striking natural light.