The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut, is showcasing a comprehensive exhibition of works by contemporary artist Uman through May 10, 2026. The exhibition, titled "Uman: After all the things," features new and recent paintings, works on paper, video pieces, and sculpture that demonstrate the artist's interdisciplinary and continuously evolving practice.
Uman's artistic approach encompasses multiple mediums including painting, drawing, murals, mosaic, sculpture, and glass work. Her creative process is fundamentally rooted in the tangible qualities of color and the transformative power of visual imagery. The artist's visual language emerges as intuitive and multilayered, characterized by its adaptability and freedom of expression that transcends traditional boundaries between abstract and metaphorical art.
The artist's work draws inspiration from her diverse life experiences and cultural background. Her childhood in East Africa and subsequent diasporic experiences across Europe and the United States significantly influence her artistic vision. Additionally, her deep appreciation for textiles and transcontinental fashion traditions informs her creative output. These varied influences manifest in subject matter that evokes the vibrant fabrics worn by women in Somali bazaars, the elegant flourishes of Arabic calligraphy learned in madrasas, and the expansive landscapes of both Kenya and Upstate New York.
Uman's compositions are created using a diverse array of materials and techniques. She employs oil paint, acrylic, spray paint, and oil sticks, while also incorporating elements of collage and sewing into her works. Her pieces are characterized by animated hues and phantasmagoric patterns that create dynamic visual experiences. The artist's unique approach involves working on multiple pieces simultaneously, building pictorial arrangements through energetic mark-making methods that include using dry brushes, fingers, and palms.
The resulting artworks challenge conventional distinctions between painting and drawing through their distinctive surface treatments. Uman's compositions frequently reference 19th-century French painting, surrealism, and visionary abstraction while maintaining strong connections to the natural world. Her work successfully fuses art historical references with autobiographical elements, and combines spirituality with reality through metaphorical exploration and deep reverence for nature.
The exhibition is accompanied by the artist's first museum publication, co-published by Gregory R. Miller & Co. This comprehensive catalog features an essay by the curator, detailed images of the works on display, and installation photographs. The exhibition "Uman: After all the things" is organized by Amy Smith-Stewart, who serves as the Diana Bowes Chief Curator at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Additional information about the exhibition can be found at thealdrich.org.
