Experience *Spirits and Souls*, a powerful solo exhibition by Usen Obot at William Humphreys Art Gallery, opening May 22, 2025.
The William Humphreys Art Gallery is proud to present a solo exhibition by Usen Obot, titled Spirits and Souls, opening on 22 May 2025 at 5:30 PM CAT at the Gallery's venue on Cullinan Crescent, Kimberley, South Africa.
Usen Obot’s Spirits and Souls features a compelling body of hybrid sculptures and multi-layered paintings that draw deeply from historical narratives while embracing everyday themes such as governance, religion, community, and inclusivity. His stylized, semi-abstract forms achieve a striking modernity through bold palettes and minimalist, graphic compositions. At the same time, his work evokes a dreamlike memoryscape—an ode to African heritage and its ever-unfolding story.
Obot’s artistic momentum continues to grow. In 2024 alone, his work has featured in several acclaimed group exhibitions, including:
- A Celebration of Contemporary African Art, Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg
- Un–Turning Wheel, Kalashnikovv Gallery
- SculptureX 2024, Melrose Gallery, Johannesburg
- Gatherers of New Fruit, The JSE, Johannesburg (Curator: Refilwe Nkomo)
- Relief, Nirox Sculpture Park, Johannesburg (Curator: Sven Christian)
- Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town (Curator: Heidi Erdman)
- Being Present, Gallery Glen Carlou, Cape Town (Curator: Heidi Erdman)
A 2023 nominee for the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize and 2021 recipient of the Herald Citizen of the Year Award in Art and Culture, Obot’s work is part of several esteemed collections worldwide, including those of Nelson Mandela University, William Humphreys Art Gallery, ABSA Bank, Nando’s, Transnet National Ports Authority, Amazon, and The Red Location Museum.
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