Leasho Johnson: Escaping the Tyranny of Meaning

Mariane Ibrahim is pleased to present Escaping the tyranny of meaning, a solo exhibition of new work by Leasho Johnson, on view from August 30 until October 26, 2024. This exhibition marks the artist’s first show with the gallery. 

In reflection of the rich sociologies of Jamaica, the centrality of mythology in Leasho Johnson’s work acknowledges the Caribbean and diasporic heritage to solidify history through folklore and imagination. Johnson’s practice situates imagination as an incubator for uninhibited connection and self-expression. Navigating the complexities of dark, abstract realms, his practice reveals sudden bursts of figuration, where creatures of presence emerge with striking clarity. By blending and experimenting with drawing and painting techniques, Johnson creates lush, vivid images brimming with sensual intensity. 

Escaping the tyranny of meaning introduces a new body of work inspired by Anansi, the shapeshifting, clever character of West African folklore. Traditionally, Anansi is a spider used to explore moral tales from everyday dilemmas to irresolvable ethical conundrums. By invoking an abstracted form of Anansi, Johnson embraces anthropomorphism to underscore the importance of maintaining freedom within spaces of ambiguity and complexity. In the legacy of Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning, Johnson activates the visceral effects of the macabre to engage diasporic conversations on colonialism, visibility, and folklore as he liberates his figures from the constraints of direct representation or definition.

Image: Detail of 'The centipede under two skies (Anansi #27)', 2023. © Leasho Johnson.