To Ourselves - Hillvale Gallery
Warsan Mohammed crafts a palpable narrative about longing and belonging in her solo show To Ourselves. Hillvale Gallery’s walls have been painted a deep burgundy for the occasion, bringing out the rich colours in the photographs. In an age where we can hardly see what’s happening in our movies and TV shows with their dark and moody colour palettes, Mohammed’s warm deep colours are heartfelt and true. These are fantastically crafted images that have a depth that’s difficult to create in a still.
Mohammed explores personal and cultural identity within these scenes, and every one I stop at is my favourite until I see the one next to it. These images can each stand by themselves, but together the story of joy and community they paint is undeniable. Mohammed has curated scenes where “alongside … grief is resilience." The subjects steelily stare out from some images in defiance and pride. In others, we’re able to glance in and join the joy, even if just for a moment.
The video with Zaynab Farah’s poem, Somalia, breaks the show up without slowing it down. The poet speaks to Somali hospitality and community, storytelling while standing amongst an iconically Australian bush scene; the bark of the gum trees laying a carpet beneath her feet. What could become a friction point instead is a celebration; “We continue to carry our culture forward, creating new memories while honouring those we inherit.” Actually, do yourself a favour and read the whole exhibition text here.
These days it seems like galleries are afraid to put on exhibitions which are solely wall mounted. I’ve seen several installations and sculptural works which don’t quite feel like they belong amongst the other works in a show, especially in art prizes or group shows. Hillvale, being a gallery focused on photography and lens based image making (their words), aren’t scared to let photographs be photographs. I’d expect nothing less from them - but they lean into the medium, and truly know how to do it well. The hang is always impeccable at Hillvale, and the format for display has been so in line with the photographer every time I’ve been, that the printing of the photos becomes an extension of the picture itself. Mohammed’s images have been printed on thick matte paper that has soaked up the ink in their printing to create a rich lusciousness of nostalgia and longing.
See the show yourself at Hillvale until August 23rd.