Show dates: September 6 – October 12, 2024
The show, curated by Ndayé Kouagou, explores what lies within us that we are ashamed of (ugly feelings, doubt, the monster within) and how these can relate to questions of identity.
Artists: Ndayé Kouagou, Neïla Czermak Ichti and Tarek Lakhrissi
'Ok, let's be honest—you're who you are, and it's not always pretty. I'm not being mean; I'm being honest! If you're vexed, it means you're young, and if you're not young and still vexed, well... you should take some time to reflect on yourself. You're not all pretty, I'm not all pretty, we're not all pretty. That's just the way it is. I know you wish you could only be pretty, but that's not how life works. Life is chaotic, and chaos isn't always pretty.
What I'm trying to say is this: we should embrace the ugly in us, let the ugly shine. Not all of the ugly, though—only the part that isn’t. I know it's confusing, but hear me out: There's an ugly that harms others, and there's an ugly that the world told you is ugly but you feel differently about and that doesn't harm anybody. The one you should embrace is the second one, because that one is you. Be a monster—it's not the end, it's just the prelude. After the ugly comes beauty, because "even if you're not ready for the day, it cannot always be night"*.
Yes, that's my exhibition text. Sorry, I'm not a curator; I'm not that type of monster. I'm a different type of monster. If you're still not convinced, what is left for you to do? Not much—maybe drink the gender fluid, and after that, if you're still not convinced, you should ask yourself, "Why am I here?"'
— by Ndayé Kouagou
* "Speech to the Young" by Gwendolyn Brooks, from BLACKS, 1991
Ndayé Kouagou (born 1992) is an artist and performer based in Paris. His practice always starts from texts of which he is the author. Voluntarily or involuntarily confused, he tries as best as he can to bring a reflection on these three topics: unease, power and vulnerability.
He has presented his work, among others, at the Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris), Wiels (Brussels), Frieze London curated section (London), Centrale Fies (Dro/Italy), Athens Biennale (Athens) and Centre George Pompidou (Paris).
Tarek Lakhrissi (born 1992) is a French artist. Lakhrissi uses his transdisciplinary approach, combining time-based media and installation with elements drawn from poetry, pop culture, and a literary background. His work centers on queer and diasporic perspectives and experiences.
Lakhrissi has exhibited internationally at galleries and institutions including Palais de Tokyo (Paris), Migros Museum (Zurich), Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney); 22nd Biennale of Sydney (Sydney), Julia Stoschek Foundation (Düsseldorf), Wiels (Brussels), Louvre (Paris), Frieze (London), Centre Pompidou (Paris), Hayward Gallery (London), La Verrière - Fondation Hermès (Brussels), Haus der Kunst (Munich), Auto Italia South East (London), Institut du Monde Arabe (Paris), Somerset House Studios (London), Fondation Lafayette Anticipations (Paris), Palazzo Re Rebaudengo / Sandretto (Guarene), Clima Gallery (Milan), Manchester International Festival (Manchester), Mostyn Art Gallery (Llandudno), Tinguely Museum (Basel), HKW (Berlin).
Neïla Czermak Ichti (born 1996) lives and works in Marseille.
Her work navigates between fiction and personal narrative, transforming seemingly mundane everyday scenes into realms with hidden, magical, and invisible dimensions. Through her drawings and paintings, she portrays figures from her life—family, friends, ancestral creatures, and characters from horror and fantasy films. In her universe, monsters and hybrid beings serve as protective figures, symbols of transitions, and embodiments of the unspoken. Her art delves into inner journeys, solitude, and the traumas passed down through generations.
Neïla graduated from the École des Beaux-Arts de Marseille in 2021. Her recent exhibitions include shows at Villa Arson (Nice), MO.CO (Montpellier), CAC Brétigny, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Nîmes) as part of the new Triennale.