Works by Florine Démosthène at Mariane Ibrahim, The Armory Show 2019
On View presents images from noteworthy exhibitions
AGAINST A GREEN BACKDROP, Mariane Ibrahim gallery showcased figurative works on paper by Florine Démosthène at The Armory Show earlier this month. The mixed-media collage works are composed of pigment, mylar, metallic leaf, and glitter. U.S.-born Démosthène’s background spans the diaspora. She grew up between New York and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and now lives and works in New York, Accra, and Johannesburg. Her work explores femininity and sensuality and considers the fetishization of the black body. Fields of watercolor hues and organic patterning define her otherworldly figures—shapely subjects that bear the real-life lumps and folds of age, gravity, child bearing, generosity, and genetics. They are mythological creatures and black heroines that call to mind works by Wangechi Mutu and Tschabalala Self, who have similar approaches to representing black female figures. Based in Seattle, Mariane Ibrahim is transitioning to Chicago this year. The gallery began participating in The Armory Show in 2016 and each year has presented a solo exhibition by a female artist. Continuing the promotion of women artists, for its inaugural presentation at Frieze New York this year (May 2-5), the gallery is showing works by South African artist Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi. CT
Works by Florine Démosthène were on view at Mariane Ibrahim, Pier 94, The Armory Show, New York City, March 7-10, 2019
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From left, FLORENE DÉMOSTHÈNE, “Untitled #5,” 2019 (collage on paper, 15 x 11 inches / 38.1 x 27.9 cm, unframed); and “Going On Without A Plan,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, pigment, metal leaf and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed). | Both Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
From left, FLORENE DÉMOSTHÈNE, “Watch And Learn,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, pigment, metal leaf and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed); and “The Premonition,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, pigment, metal leaf, and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed). | Both Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
FLORENE DÉMOSTHÈNE, Installation view of “No Longer Waiting For You To Love Me,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed). | Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
From left, FLORENE DÉMOSTHÈNE, “The More That I Wanted,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed); and “Devoted To The Moment,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, and glitter, 44 x 30 inches /111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed). | Both Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
Installation view of works by Florine Démosthène, Mariane Ibrahim Gallery, The Armory Show 2019, Pier 94, New York, N.Y. | Photo courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
From left, FLORENE DÉMOSTHÈNE, Done, 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, and glitter,44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed); and “Between Possibility & Actuality,” 2019 (collage on paper – ink, mylar, pigment stick, pigment, metal leaf and glitter, 44 x 30 inches / 111.8 x 76.2 cm, unframed). | Both Courtesy Mariane Ibrahim
FIND MORE about Florine Démosthène on her website
