Lauren Halsey’s exhibition, “emajendat,” at Serpentine South in London, is a vibrant and immersive experience inspired by the artist’s South Central neighborhood in Los Angeles. The exhibition showcases Halsey’s fascination with material culture, remixing messages and symbols, and addressing issues affecting communities of color, the queer community, and the working class.
The large-scale exhibition features a mix of sculptures and site-specific installations that reflect Halsey’s community and her commitment to activism. The artist gathers various items like photographs, posters, flyers, and found objects that resonate with her communities’ activism, creating a space that exudes civic urgency and free-flowing imagination.
Halsey’s work blends past, present, and future, exploring how idols, architecture, history, and communication shape our perceptions of identities and society. Drawing inspiration from Afrofuturism, funk, and local symbols, Halsey creates a visionary cultural narrative that is both radical and collaborative.
One of the standout pieces in the exhibition is a monumental rooftop installation titled “the eastside of south central los angeles hieroglyph prototype architecture (I),” which pays homage to ancient Egyptian architecture while featuring the faces of notable Black figures like Susan Burton and Dr. Rachel Eubanks.
The artist’s “funkmound” sculptures incorporate a wide array of found objects, creating miniature dioramas and objects that emerge from colorful heaps resembling cotton candy. Throughout “emajendat,” visitors are enveloped in a world of endless collages, sculptures, reflections, prismatic colors, patterns, messages, and textures, offering an immersive and engaging experience.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Halsey founded a community center called Summaeverythang in 2019, dedicated to empowering and uplifting Black and Brown communities socio-politically, economically, intellectually, and artistically.
“emajendat” will be on display at Serpentine South until February 23, inviting visitors to explore Halsey’s bold and thought-provoking artistic vision. The exhibition embodies the artist’s commitment to addressing social issues, celebrating cultural heritage, and fostering community engagement through art.
