Monuments of Memory

The landmark exhibition Simone Leigh is on view in Los Angeles, co-presented by LACMA and the California African American Museum (CAAM). Originally organised by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, this travelling show is the first comprehensive survey of Leigh’s work, offering an in-depth exploration of her artistic journey over the past two decades. The exhibition features a diverse range of works in ceramics, bronze, video and installation, including pieces from her acclaimed presentation at the 2022 Venice Biennale.

The show’s concept revolves around an exploratory engagement with black femme subjectivity and its associated histories and geographies. Leigh’s work is deeply rooted in African art and architecture, drawing connections between traditional forms and contemporary issues. The exhibition highlights Leigh’s focus on themes of labour, identity and the reclaiming of black female narratives in the face of historical erasure.

Among the standout pieces is Last Garment (2022), a bronze sculpture depicting a woman bent over a rock washing in a reflecting pool. The work reimagines a 19th-century photograph of a Jamaican washerwoman, transforming a voyeuristic image into a powerful monument to labouring black bodies. Another significant work is Martinique (2022), a headless cobalt blue sculpture that references both the island of Martinique and the problematic legacy of Joséphine Bonaparte. The work’s ambiguous form invites viewers to reconsider the symbolic meanings of objects associated with black female bodies.

Also on view is Sharifa (2022), Leigh’s first portrait, which immortalises the writer Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts in a massive bronze figure. This work underscores Leigh’s interest in elevating black women to monumental status, fusing historical references with a contemporary lens.

The exhibition, which runs until January 20th, 2025, offers visitors a rare opportunity to engage with Leigh’s profound and multifaceted work, which continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of contemporary art.