Wosene Worke Kosrof: WordScapes
Through December 22, 2021
One of the major established artists of African heritage living in America, the Ethiopian-born artist Wosene has distinguished himself as being the first contemporary artist to use the script forms of his native Amharic language as a core element in his paintings and sculptures. This recognizable signature emerges from the way he elongates, distorts, dissects, and reassembles the characters of the fidäl (syllables) of Amharic, which evolved from the ancient liturgical script of Ge’ez.
Recalling that writing is the basis of civilization and is, in fact, embedded with social existence across space and time, Wosene seeks to engender new forms, histories, and intentions. Uninterested in the inscribing of literal words, Wosene creates abstract images that speak for themselves as a graphic language or visual poetry accessible to universal audiences. Painting from a place between mastery and uncertainty, Wosene’s improvisations underlie his compositions, animating them with rhythmic movements and emboldening his masterful use of color.
Join us for the gallery's first back-in-person event with Wosene Worke Kosrof, design tastemaker and collector Thomas Lavin, and gallerist Edward Cella for an informal overview of the Wosene's newest paintings on Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 3 to 5 PM. The talk begins at 3:15 PM with a reception with the Artist to follow. Attendance is limited and please register for the event here.
WordScapes is installed at the Thomas Lavin Showroom at the Pacific Design Center and curated by Edward Cella; the exhibition is available for viewing Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Appropriate social distancing measures are required for the unvaccinated. To schedule your personal tour with Edward Cella, please email director@edwardcella.com or telephone 323 525 0053.
