Tewodros Hagos Mirage

until 23.04. | #3385ARTatBerlin | Kristin Hjellegjerde Berlin presents from 24th March 2022 the solo exhibition Mirage with paintings by the artist Tewodros Hagos. Proud, exhausted figures stand dressed in vibrant, patterned fabrics against the vast expanse of a desert that seems to stretch endlessly into the horizon. This latest series of exquisitely rendered portraits by Ethiopian artist Tewodros Hagos continues his exploration of how the global migrant crisis is portrayed and understood, specifically reflecting on the illusory nature of media reportage. Mirage, the artist’s solo exhibition at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery Berlin, not only serves as a poignant homage to the migrant community, but also considers questions how our tendency to turn-away from discomfort might prevent us from seeing the truth of a situation. Over the last couple of years, Hagos has dedicated his artistic practice to recording the migrant crisis by painting haunting portraits that stand in opposition to sensationalistic journalistic imagery and footage. While the works visualise a larger narrative of collective suffering, each painting, especially the close-up portraits, possesses a distinct personality and emotional atmosphere. In one painting,for example, a man sits slumped against a rocky wall while his gaze seems to directly address the viewer in […]