Mitochondria Gallery is honored to present FRAGMENTS OF PERCEPTIONS, a solo exhibition by visual artist Nedia Were (b. 1989, Eldoret, Kenya) who currently resides in Nairobi, Kenya.
The exhibition opens May 6th, its opening reception is from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at 2220 commerce street, #D, Houston, Texas. 77002.
Untitled I. Acrylic on Canvas. 55 x 67 in. 2022.
“Fragments of Perceptions” is the first solo exhibition of Nairobi based artist Nedia Were which features figurative paintings that confront how an individual or group of people are perceived by the society, and vice versa. The works in this exhibition arose from Nedia’s investigation into the divergence between perception and reality. An individual’s perception is a function of their sensory organs, feelings, social identity, experience, and much more. Although it is convenient to believe we experience the world as it is, this is not the case. Nedia presents eleven works which are all untitled, he wants to challenge his viewers to create a name for each work based on their perception. He wants to abstain from influencing the viewers experience of the work by giving it a name. Rather, Nedia aims to challenge us to be aware of the power our perceptions possess, and its effect on others. As the viewer explores this exhibition, they will discover Nedia’s signature use of newspaper style writing on the clothing on his subjects. This is a representation of the external and internal perception of his subjects.
Untitled VI. Acrylic on Canvas. 48 x 36 in. 2022.
“As an image-maker, conversation starter, and storyteller, I contribute to the images, messages, and perceptions that circulate within our society and culture. These figures and messages have tremendous power. They have the power to influence the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of our collective society today and for generations to come. They have the power to make people see and recognize the humanity in others, or the power to objectify and dehumanize others. They have the power to make people feel fearful of others, or the power to make them feel safe. They have the power to make people feel beautiful or ugly, seen or unseen, accepted or ostracized, revered or reviled. They have the power to celebrate our vulnerabilities, flaws, and imperfections, or to lull us into the false comfort and unattainable pursuit of perfectly curated, beautifully crafted lives and feeds. Most importantly, the words and images we create and choose to circulate create powerful mental associations that define how we perceive each other and the world around us.”
-Nedia Were
About Nedia Were:
Nedia Were is a self-taught contemporary visual artist. His initial passion for art was cultivated during his childhood, where he started drawing characters he observed in cartoons, comic books, and newspapers. As a teenager Nedia continued to pursue art as a Sign writer, where he developed his own style of Sign writing. A major inspiration in Nedia’s style of painting was influenced by his grandfather’s love of reading newspapers. Nedia was intrigued by reading the events and topics covered in these papers, he found a deep connection with the events reported in the news. Nedia continuously felt an urge be part of the solution for social and environmental issues and provide additional outlets as a voice for the disenfranchised in the society. In reaction to these feelings, Nedia decided to create art that promotes internal and external dialogue on societal shortcomings. Nedia has participated in over 27 exhibitions since 2015. Since his successful debut of the “Mumwamu” series at Mitochondria Gallery as part of the Duo exhibition “The Line between” in the fall of 2021, Nedia has continued to sell out in all fairs and group exhibitions he has participated in.
Opening : May 6th 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Public Viewing : May 6th to June 3rd, 2022.
Address: 2220 Commerce Street, #D, Houston, TX. 77002.
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