Step into Matthew Angelo Harrison’s world with “Invisible Silhouettes,” an exhibition that’s not just about sculptures; it’s a symphony of emotions and materials that dance between visibility and the unseen.
Held at Jessica Silverman Gallery from August 18 to September 16, 2023, this show unveils ten sculptures that take Harrison’s iconic resin-encapsulated series on a deep dive into the essence of human feelings and the concept of invisibility.
Harrison’s artistic journey has roots that reach deep into the heart of the industrial world, specifically the Ford Motor Company. Spending several years at this iconic institution, he honed his craft, making clay prototypes and even teaching himself 3D modeling by watching YouTube videos. Many of the techniques he acquired during this time continue to shape his artistic practice today.
The Afro-futuristic vibe pulsates through Invisible Silhouettes. In a world where artists often delegate sculpture creation to machines and industrial materials, Harrison stands as a beacon of a future where the human touch is not just evident but celebrated. His sculptures, though seemingly machine-born, resonate with a tactile journey, a fusion of the visible and the sensed—a testament to Afro-futurism’s celebration of cultural roots and technological advancement.
One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is Precious Belly – a Makonde pregnancy mask, a relic of fertility rites, suspended in transparent resin. An umbilically attached ‘second belly’ echoes the wooden mask’s shape, reflecting the room and you. It’s like a dance of ancient rituals and biotech advances, complete with an air bubble near the mask’s breast, whispering stories of unseen energies.
Then there’s my personal favourite, Beloved Worker, where an Exxon hard hat meets the outline of a Dan-tribe facemask. Separated by continents, united by spirit—these are talismans defending human tenderness in a world that’s turned a bit chaotic.
Invisible Silhouettes isn’t just an exhibition; it’s a rollercoaster through tangible and intangible realms, a conversation between cultures and histories, and a front-row seat to the unique aesthetics of Matthew Angelo Harrison’s Afrofuturistic rebellion.
“Invisible Silhouettes” is on view and free to the public through September 18 at Jessica Silverman Gallery on 621 Grant Ave, San Francisco.
