Hana Yilma Godine: A Brush in the Universe
BY ANNABEL KEENAN
In a refreshing display of collaboration, two galleries across the Lower East Side are staging a joint solo show of Ethiopian artist Hana Yilma Godine. Spread across Fridman Gallery and Rachel Uffner Gallery, A Brush in the Universe features new and recent mixed-media paintings of still lifes and otherworldly women inspired by mythology, Ethiopian history, and religious iconography. Using oil and acrylic paint, as well as textiles with colorful, bold patterns and textures, Godine’s work is visually rich in detail and typically has a flat perspective, not unlike the biblical imagery she sometimes uses for inspiration. The show marks the second time the two galleries have exhibited Godine together. A ten-minute walk, the trip from one space to the other becomes a part of the exhibition as visitors navigate the vibrant streets of downtown Manhattan. Elements of one show, such as repeated motifs and similar patterns, appear in both spaces, resulting in a continuous conversation across the two galleries.
