So it appears

So it appears is an exhibition that — at first glance — addresses abstract art of the last twenty years, globally. At a deeper level, the exhibition shows how abstraction can be a visual strategy, a way of revealing the aesthetic or political challenges of what is difficult or impossible to present.

The abstract, conceptual and minimalist forms of the art works in the exhibition carry stories of incarceration, injustice, enslavement, the invisibility of migrants, environmental racism, and sonic warfare, among other themes.

Coming together from far afield, these works yield subtleties and associations that invite reflection on the intimate interrelation of global crises. So it appears is a site for the viewer to research, explore and test their own perception, questioning how we see, and approaching each artwork as a repository.

So it appears includes existing works by artists Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Monira Al Qadiri, Alexander Apóstol, Navine G. Dossos, Torkwase Dyson, Basmah Felemban, Žilvinas Kempinas, Agnieszka Kurant, Dinh Q. Lê, Jeewi Lee, John Menick, Novo (Reynier Leyva Novo), Trevor Paglen, Walid Raad, Tomás Saraceno, Pak Sheung-Chuen, and Levester Williams. Sharon Mashihi and Tricky Walsh have been commissioned to create new works for the show, which will be presented during the course of the exhibition.

So it appears is organized by ICA Senior Curator and Director of Programs Sarah Rifky and ICA Curatorial Fellow Yomna Osman.