Origins
Howard el-Yasin, Kaelynne Hernandez, Chistopher Paul Jordan, Jasmine Nikole & Jason Ting
Curator: nico w. okoro
Origins is the second exhibition from Orchid Gallery’s 2024 Open Call, featuring artworks by Howard el-Yasin, Kaelynne Hernandez, Christopher Paul Jordan, Jasmine Nikole, and Jason Ting. Following the inaugural exhibition, Gather, which highlighted figurative artworks, Origins focuses on conceptual pieces to deepen discussions around identity in contemporary art. This exhibition addresses the tokenization of Blackness and the overconsumption of BIPOC depictions by emphasizing thoughtful, nuanced engagement with the art.
Howard el-Yasin uses domestic materials, such as banana skins, to explore memory and value systems, encouraging viewers to rethink ordinary objects. Kaelynne Hernandez’s sculptures, made from shredded newspaper, reflect on Chicanismo and universal interconnectedness, inviting a collective understanding of heritage and identity.
Christopher Paul Jordan’s works, inspired by a local scrapyard, use repurposed materials to explore memory and diaspora. His pieces challenge viewers to consider the transformation and protection of Black identity. Jasmine Nikole’s paintings celebrate Black sisterhood and resilience, depicting the journey of four African women navigating life and community through the element of water.
Jason Ting employs creative coding and digital tools to produce dynamic visuals inspired by natural forces, capturing the wonder of organic processes and celestial phenomena. His works, often minted as NFTs, add a contemporary dimension to the exploration of origins.
Origins underscores the importance of abstraction and conceptualism in visualizing life's complexities, inviting audiences to engage deeply with the art.
nico w. okoro | Founder & Principal, The Bldg Fund LLC | Curator-at-Large, Orchid Gallery