‘JUST WHAT YOU LEAST EXPECT’: New acquisitions to the UBS Art Collection
Explore new acquisitions to the UBS Art Collection by visionary artists whose works draw on diverse histories, cultures, materials and processes to explore themes such as community, belonging, collective memories and social justice.
When Native American heritage and punk rock passion collide
When Native American heritage and punk rock passion collide
To create his vibrant works, artist Jeffrey Gibson combines themes and materials relating to his Native American heritage with references to his favorite punk rock and pop songs. The triptych ‘JUST WHAT YOU LEAST EXPECT’ (2022), commissioned by the UBS Art Collection for UBS Arena, borrows its title from the lyrics of ‘Love Comes Quickly’ by the Pet Shop Boys. “The song is about love and how it can hit you when you least expect it,” says the artist, who hopes the words carry meaning beyond this subject and remind viewers of the importance of “being present in the moment.” The colors extend across the three paintings in a rainbow gradient – a light spectrum that reflects love, hope and the nature of community.
Honoring shared histories through cooking
Honoring shared histories through cooking
David Alekhuogie works with a variety of mediums including photography, collage and sculpture to create artworks centered on his cultural heritage. In ‘Still Life with Cornbread’ (2021), he explores the role of soul food in American culture. Rather than trace its complicated history, Alekhuogie focuses on its emotional origins and the passing of cherished recipes from one generation to the next. In this work, he assembles the ingredients to make cornbread – a comforting soul food side dish.
Transforming a male-dominated craft into an art form
Transforming a male-dominated craft into an art form
In her practice, artist Myrlande Constant innovates the Haitian craft for creating ‘drapo Vodou,’ handmade textiles traditionally displayed in Vodou temples. Historically a male-dominated practice, Constant uses a laborious technique, which she learned while working in a wedding dress factory, to embellish the fabrics with beads and sequins. Each work can take months for the artist’s studio, consisting of family and community members, to produce. The central figure in this flag is ‘Erzulie Dantor,’ the matriarch of a family of Vodou spirits that personify femininity.
A glimpse of optimism in the face of social injustice
A glimpse of optimism in the face of social injustice
Expanding on his inventive practice of creating wearable sculptures, ‘Arm Peace’ (2022) is part of a series incorporating bronze casts of Cave’s arms and other body parts that are rooted in his concerns about social justice. These works explore the symbolism of Black bodies and how gestures can often be misconstrued. Here, colorful vintage metal tole flowers cascade from a cast of his bent arm, offering the possibility of compassion and healing.
These works and more will be displayed in the UBS Lounge at Art Basel in Miami Beach 2023. Jeffrey Gibson’s ‘JUST WHAT YOU LEAST EXPECT’ will be installed on a custom wallpaper created by the artist. The work will later return to UBS Arena in 2024.
