Julie Mehretu: They departed for their own country another way (a 9x9x9 hauntology) at White Cube Bermondsey

Julie Mehretu's latest exhibition at White Cube Bermondsey, titled They departed for their own country another way (a 9x9x9 hauntology), unveils three new series of paintings, each comprising nine pieces. In the 9x9x9 gallery, Mehretu intriguingly pairs her titular masterpiece with a sculpture by visual artist Nairy Baghramian, fostering an ongoing artistic dialogue.

This marks Mehretu's fifth exhibition with the gallery, and the show's title draws inspiration from a biblical verse, Matthew 2:12, where God imparts a message to the Magi through a dream. This ancient admonition resonates poignantly in Mehretu's work, which delves into contemporary discord, focusing on persistent conflict, widespread displacement, and power imbalances. She sources her imagery from current events, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine and the events of the US Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.

In the 9x9x9 gallery, Mehretu's monumental painting, 'They departed for their own country another way (2023),' shares the space with Baghramian's abstract sculpture 'S'asseyant (2022).' Baghramian's work, made of cast aluminum and silicon, rests weightily on the floor, creating a striking contrast with Mehretu's dynamic painting. The sculpture's irregular form and gravitational pull anchor the space, while both pieces embrace imperfection and the "liberation of the figure, or of representation itself."

In White Cube Bermondsey's South Gallery II, Mehretu presents a series of "classic" paintings. She digitally obscures source images related to geopolitical violence, reimagining them with layers of halftone dots, vivid colors, and expressive black marks. These compositions reflect the dissonance of the original photographs, capturing the impact and aftermath of the events.

In the same space, a group of 'TRANSpaintings,' positioned on aluminum frames and scaffolds created by Baghramian, offer a multifaceted experience. These structures support the paintings and vary in height, inviting direct engagement with viewers. Translucent materials in the works allow light and movement to interact, complicating the viewer's relationship with the images.

Completing this tripartite exhibition are Mehretu's 'Femenine in nine' paintings, a departure from her earlier works. These paintings feature vibrant markings set against dark backgrounds, creating dynamic compositions. The iridescent marks seem to shift with the viewer's perspective, creating ever-changing landscapes that mirror our contemporary world of uncertainty and disruption.

TRANSpaintings (recurrence), 2023 center

Your hands are like two shovels, digging in me (sphinx) 2021—22

***

---