Esmaa Mohamoud Canadian, b. 1992
"People understand Blackness in monolithic terms. They don’t see Blackness as a multiplicity. That’s an issue I try to cover: the monolith versus the multiplicity."
- Esmaa Mohamoud
African-Canadian artist Esmaa Mohamoud (b. 1992, Canada) describes her studio practice as an examination of “the monolithic versus the multitude.” Her work is a visually stunning and profound examination of the gap between contemporary culture's oversimplification and diminishment of Black people, compared to the complexity, richness, and diversity of their actual lived experiences.
Mohamoud’s critically acclaimed solo exhibition Esmaa Mohamoud: To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat, which toured the National Galleries of Canada, looks specifically at how the Black body is reduced within the vernacular of athleticism. Sculptures such as Glorious Bones critique depictions of the Black body as being disposable, while the photographic series One of the Boys examines the vulnerability of Black masculinity within the guise of professional sports.
Mohamoud was born and raised in the small suburban town of London, Ontario. Prized by marketers as so quintessentially representative of the Canadian population that it is a standard testing ground for consumer products, such as new potato chip flavors, London has also long been home to a majority white population. Mohamoud recalls frequently being the only Black person in academic and social settings, and most of her early encounters with representations of Blackness came from American media, which tended to present Black culture in superficial and monolithic terms.
Frequent international travel and graduate work at the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) in Toronto broadened Mohamoud’s perspectives, fueling her interest in bringing the true multiplicity of the Black experience into sharp focus through her studio practice.
In her newest body of work, Mohamoud extends her interest in the monolithic versus the multiplicity by examining everyday aspects of Black life, such as financial literacy, Black beauty, and the surveillance of Black bodies. “In certain contexts, my body becomes a visual signifier of some kind of threat,” she says.
Mohamoud’s practice manifests across multiple mediums—including sculpture, photography, textiles, video, and large-scale public installations—and incorporates a broad range of materials and methods, including concrete, textiles, metal, and found objects. She describes her aesthetic as “soft industrial.”
“Part of my practice is hard—metal chains and concrete,” she says. “Then there’s this tenderness to the practice, like fabric and ball gown dresses.”
Mohamoud’s deft examination of the monolith versus the multitude will be on view in Kavi Gupta’s booth at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2021, and in a forthcoming solo exhibition at Kavi Gupta in 2022.
Mohamoud is a 2021 Artist-in-Residence in Kehinde Wiley’s renowned Black Rock Senegal residency program in Dakar, Senegal. Her critically acclaimed solo exhibition To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat (originated at Museum London in Ontario) is currently on view at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (Ontario), and will travel in 2022 to the Art Gallery of Ottawa and the Art Gallery of Winnipeg, concluding at the Art Gallery of Alberta in 2023. In 2022, Mohamoud’s work will be included in the exhibition Garmenting: Costume and Contemporary Art, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY, USA. Her work has previously been exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum; Museum of Fine Arts Montreal; and Weatherspoon Art Museum, UNCG, Greensboro, NC, USA, among others. Works by Mohamoud are in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Canada; Art Gallery of Ontario; Weatherspoon Museum; Institute for the Humanities, University of Michigan; Museum London; and University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries, among others.
-
Esmaa MohamoudThe Night That I Looked At You, 2021Polyester Durag, fabric stiffener, waterApprox. 20 x 25 x 8 in
Approx. 50.8 x 63.5 x 20.3 cmEdition of 3 + 1 AP -
Esmaa MohamoudGlorious Bones, 2019Repurposed helmets, kente pattern cloth and recycled tiresDimensions variable
-
Esmaa MohamoudFrom the Ground We Fall, 2019Repurposed football equipment, chains, and African textilesDimensions Variable
-
Esmaa MohamoudHeavy, Heavy (Hoop Dreams), 2016Solid concrete120 x 120 in
304.8 x 304.8 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudThe Dark Knight (No Fields), 2019Used football shoulder pads, used football helmet, textile, adhesive, metal chains; steel72 x 30 x 20 in
182.9 x 76.2 x 50.8 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudA Seat Above the Table (Warren Moon), 2019Found rattan peacock chair, rattan, paint, tape, plastic, adhesive, nails114 1/8 x 26 x 26 in
289.6 x 66 x 66 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudBlood and Tears Instead of Milk and Honey, 2018Leather footballsDimensions variable
-
Esmaa MohamoudChain Gang 1, 2018Metal chain, 6 pairs of used football cleats120 x 24 in
304.8 x 61 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudOne of the Boys (Black), 2017Silk, velvet, jersey, repurposed jersey, shoe laces; mannequin frame stand60 x 60 x 60 in
152.4 x 152.4 x 152.4 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudOne of the Boys (White), 2017Silk, velvet, jersey, repurposed jersey, shoe laces; mannequin frame stand60 x 60 x 60 in
-
Esmaa MohamoudOne of the Boys (Purple) in collaboration with Quendrim Hoti, 2017Silk, velvet, jersey, repurposed jersey, shoe laces; mannequin frame stand60 x 60 x 60 in
152.4 x 152.4 x 152.4 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudOne of the Boys (Red) in collaboration with Quendrim Hoti, 2017Silk, velvet, jersey, repurposed jersey, shoe laces; mannequin frame stand60 x 60 x 60 in
152.4 x 152.4 x 152.4 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudGlorious Bones 17, 2018Used football helmets, textile, adhesive9 x 10 x 12 in
22.9 x 25.4 x 30.5 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudGlorious Bones 13, 2018Used football helmets, textile, adhesive9 x 10 x 12 in
22.9 x 25.4 x 30.5 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudGlorious Bones 39, 2018Used football helmets, textile, adhesive9 x 10 x 12 in
22.9 x 25.4 x 30.5 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudGlorious Bones 6, 2018Used football helmets, textile, adhesive9 x 10 x 12 in
22.9 x 25.4 x 30.5 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudWhy See The World, When You Got The Beach?, 201810k gold grills and football mouthguard
Pictures in various display options2 x 2 in ea.
5.1 x 5.1 cm -
Esmaa MohamoudHeavy, Heavy (The Final Draft), 2018Concrete9 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 in
24.1 x 24.1 x 24.1 cmEdition of 30 plus 2 artist's proofs -
Esmaa MohamoudDarkness Doesn’t Rise To The Sun But We Do, 2020Steel, paint, epoxy8 1/2 x 12 x 9 in
21.6 x 30.5 x 22.9 cmAP edition of 4 -
Esmaa MohamoudDeeper The Wounded, Deeper The Roots 1, 2019Archival pigment print62 x 41 x 2 in
157.5 x 104.1 x 5.1 cmEdition 5 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof -
Esmaa MohamoudDeeper The Wounded, Deeper The Roots 2, 2019Archival pigment print61 x 41 x 2 inEdition 5 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof
-
Esmaa MohamoudDeeper The Wounded, Deeper The Roots 3, 2019Archival pigment print61 x 41 x 2 in
154.9 x 104.1 x 5.1 cmEdition 5 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof -
Esmaa MohamoudOne Of The Boys (Black), 2019Archival pigment print61 x 41 x 2 in
154.9 x 104.1 x 5.1 cmEdition 4 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof -
Esmaa MohamoudOne Of The Boys (Double Dutch I), 2018Inkjet print61 x 41 x 2 in
154.9 x 104.1 x 5.1 cmEdition 4 of 4 plus 1 artist's proof -
Esmaa MohamoudOne of The Boys (White), 2019Archival pigment print61 x 41 x 2 inEdition 4 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof
-
Esmaa MohamoudOne Of The Boys (Red Front), 2018Inkjet print61 x 41 x 2 inEdition 3 of 4 plus 1 artist's proof
-
Esmaa MohamoudUntitled (No Fields), 2018Archival pigment print61 x 41 x 2 in
154.9 x 104.1 x 5.1 cmEdition 4 of 5 plus 1 artist's proof
-
Esmaa Mohamoud, IT CANNOT ALWAYS BE NIGHT
Arsenal Contemporary 5 May - 18 Jun 2022Darkness Doesn't Rise To The Sun, But We Do is Mohamoud's first large-scale in-gallery immersive installation consisting of 500 matte-black metal dandelions, arranged in large and meandering groupings that take...Read more -
Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art | Mary Sibande, Devan Shimoyama, Jeffrey Gibson, and Esmaa Mohamoud
Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY 12 Mar - 14 Aug 2022The first global survey exhibition dedicated to the use of clothing as a medium of visual art, Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art examines work by thirty-five international contemporary artists, from...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud: The Collection
Art Gallery of Hamilton, Permanent Installation 5 Mar 2022 - 5 Mar 2023Permanent collections are complex, amazing, and very weighted. The ways they are formed, presented, and interpreted all speak of choices—choices made one hundred years ago and yesterday. These choices express...Read more -
In These Truths
Albright-Knox Northland, Buffalo, New York 19 Feb - 5 Jun 2022In These Truths is an exhibition of works by Black cultural producers, co-curated by two of Buffalo’s most influential, charismatic, and insightful artists, Edreys Wajed and Aitina Fareed-Cooke, in collaboration...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud: To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat
Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON, CA 4 Dec 2021 - 27 Mar 2022To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat is a celebration of diversity and an urgent call to action around issues of racial marginalization. Taking inspiration from the African American...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud, Double Dribble
The Bentway | Toronto, CA 7 Jul - 27 Sep 2021On this impossible basketball court, how will you write your own rules for play? Through the illogical use of basketball motifs, Toronto artist Esmaa Mohamoud transforms The Bentway into a...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud, The Brotherhood FUBU (For Us, By Us)
Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival 10 Jun 2021 - 1 Apr 2023Focusing on the physical connection between Black male bodies by amplifying the symbol of the du-rag, Esmaa Mohamoud confronts the dynamics of gender and race. Her massive photographic mural, the...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud, To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat
Art Gallery of Hamilton | Ontario, CA 20 Mar - 24 Oct 2021Taking inspiration from the African American writer Ralph Ellison, artist Esmaa Mohamoud explores the ways in which Black bodies at once appear―and yet are rendered metaphorically invisible―within the spaces they...Read more -
To the Hoop | Basketball and Contemporary Art
Weatherspoon Art Museum | UNC Greensboro, North Carolina 31 Jan - 21 Nov 2020From its storied invention in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith as a recreational activity for “incorrigible” youth, to its multibillion-dollar industry today, basketball has uniquely captured America’s imagination—and stolen North...Read more -
Here We Are Here: Black Canadian Contemporary Art
Royal Ontario Museum | Ontario, CA 27 Jan - 22 Apr 2018What is the Black Canadian presence and history in our country? Explore these ideas, and the issues of belonging, in the ROM original exhibition, Here We Are Here: Black Canadian...Read more -
Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood
Art Gallery Ontario | Ontario, CA 29 Jun - 10 Dec 2017Taking over the entire fourth floor of the AGO’s Contemporary Tower, Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood explores three urgent questions through the eyes of some of the country’s best emerging...Read more -
Esmaa Mohamoud, #000000 VIOLENCE
YYZ Artists' Outlet | Toronto, CA 29 Mar - 5 Apr 2016#000000 VIOLENCE is an exhibition that investigates the Black male body in contemporary culture and the (in)tangibility of Blackness through the exploration of athletics—specifically, the sport of basketball. Utilizing the...Read more
-
Esmaa Mohamoud's Art X Hoops = Double Dribble I SWISH
July 9, 2021Create X Curate catches up with artist Esmaa Mohamoud to talk about her new installation Double Dribble at The Bentway in Toronto. A surreal basketball...Read more -
AGO X RBC Emerging Artists Workshop: Esmaa Mohamoud
June 2, 2021Developed specifically for emerging artists, this presentation from artist Esmaa Mohamoud explores her work and how she maintains a creative practice. Drawing on personal examples...Read more -
Virtual Tour: Esmaa Mohamoud: To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat
May 20, 2021Join us for a virtual tour as artist Esmaa Mohamoud and curator Matthew Kyba present the works in To Play in the Face of Certain...Read more -
The Creators: Esmaa Mohamoud I NBA XL
November 21, 2017NBA TV Canada visits the Art Gallery of Ontario to speak with artist Esmaa Mohamoud about her phenomenal exhibit and installation entitled One of the...Read more
-
Mary Sibande, Devan Shimoyama, Jeffrey Gibson & Esmaa Mohamoud: Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art
Kathy Battista, The Brooklyn Rail, May 1, 2022 -
Esmaa Mohamoud: Photo Festival Season Kicks Off! Here’s What to Visit in the Summer.
Vogue, April 27, 2022 -
Esmaa Mohamoud: Toronto’s Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival Launches 26th Edition
Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, Hyperallergic, April 14, 2022 -
Garmenting: Costume as Contemporary Art Review: Dressing Up a Form
Laura Jacobs, Wall Street Journal, March 16, 2022 -
What in the World Is ‘Garmenting?’
Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, January 6, 2022 -
Critic's Picks Toronto - Double Dribble
Gabrielle Moser, Artforum, August 23, 2021 -
Artist Esmaa Mohamoud Examines How Pro Sports Profit from Black Athletes
Connor Garel, The Walrus, August 12, 2021 -
There's a supersized basketball court under the Gardiner Expressway
Leah Collins, CBC, July 20, 2021 -
Esmaa Mohamoud is turning the white gaze on its head
Kelsey Adams, Now Toronto, July 17, 2021 -
Select Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival Outdoor Installations On View Now Across Greater Toronto
Art Fix Daily, June 23, 2021 -
Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto Celebrates 25th Anniversary Edition
Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, Hyperallergic, May 11, 2021 -
The 2021 Sobey Art Award and and the National Gallery of Canada reveal 25 nominated artists
e-Flux, May 5, 2021 -
A festival for the eyes
AGO Insider, April 21, 2021 -
Toronto’s Contact Photography Festival expands its takeover of public spaces
Larry Humber, The Art Newspaper, April 10, 2021 -
The Raptors salute their fans with a monument at Nuit Blanche
Radheyan Simonpillai, NOW Toronto, October 3, 2019 -
Why Esmaa Mohamoud is bringing blackness and basketball into the gallery
Amanda Parris, CBC, July 20, 2017 -
Esmaa Mohamoud: “My practice is unapologetically black and industrial”
INSTUDIO, February 1, 2017 -
Art & Basketball
Anthony Gilbert, SLAM, June 25, 2016 -
Artist Made 'I Am Michael Jordan' Sculpture To Spotlight Hoops-Only Culture
Justin Breen, DNAinfo, August 25, 2015
-
Kavi Gupta, Felix LA 2022
The Hollywood Roosevelt, Los Angeles, CA 17 - 20 Feb 2022Kavi Gupta looks forward to the 2022 edition of Felix Art Fair, at The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in Los Angeles. As part of our ongoing...Read more -
Art Basel Miami Beach 2021
2 - 4 Dec 2021For Art Basel Miami Beach 2021, Kavi Gupta presents an array of timely and important works by all of the artists represented in our diverse...Read more -
FRIEZE LONDON/ FRIEZE MASTERS
13 - 17 Oct 2021Kavi Gupta is proud to be participating in the 2021 editions of both Frieze London and Frieze Masters. For Frieze London, we will present a...Read more