B. Musah Swallah at the new Ed. Varie

Installation view of Musah Swallah, Tribute and Complexion. Image courtesy of Ed. Varie and Stefany Lazar.

Tribute and Complexion, the first solo exhibition of work by Ghanian artist B. Musah Swallah is open in the new and greatly improved Ed. Varie, 95 Avenue B.

The new space is about five times the size of Ed. Varie’s long-time home of E. 7th St., just around the corner. The new space “will allow us to conjure and collaborate with our broad and growing community of artists, aligning with our mission to nurture the exploration of new concepts in artistic practice,” said @karen_schaupete, the artist, curator, and community architect behind Ed. Varie

Musah Swallah. Game Over, 2022. Acrylic on plywood. 40 x 30 in.

Swallah uses art as a tool for self-expression and to celebrate the beauty of Africans within the Diaspora. His paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works render portraits that reflect the identity, cultural values, and the details of everyday life, speaking to the complex transnational identities of the African Diaspora.

Musah Swallah. Bandana, 2022. Acrylic on canvas. 40 x 30 in.

Swallah paints on re-purposed wooden panels, plywood, paper, and canvases to create layered mixed media portraits. Swallah's work also places special emphasis on honoring Black beauty by celebrating the rich complexions of Black people alongside vivid colors, layered imagery, and striking emotion conveying a deep spiritual presence in his portraits.

Musah Swallah. Mohawk, 2022. Acrylic on canvas. 40 x 30 in.

In his artist statement, Swallah said “among Black people, the expression of beauty and style has long been communicated through hairstyles. With more Black people embracing their natural hair, unique cuts and bold colors have become the norm. The haircuts depicted in each portrait are representative of the unique ways in which black people have and continue to style their hair with the help of talented barbers and stylists.”

When it relocated last month, @karen_schaupete, the artist, curator, and community architect behind Ed. Varie said the new location is “more than we could have ever hoped and dreamed as we expand from our teeny tiny storefront just under 400 sqft to a pretty sweet no renovation needed 2 level + mini garden 2000 sqft venue.”

Musah Swallah. Blue Jeans, 2022. Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 36 in.

“Our new home will allow us to revive and regenerate past programs that had been squeezed into such small spaces, they began bordering on non-existence. Our new home will allow us to embrace and embark on all of the projects we put on the illusive back burner for the past 7 years,” she said.

Ed. Varie is a creative institution in the heart of lower Manhattan. Founded in 2009 under the vision and guidance of Artist, Curator, and Community Architect @karen_schaupeterEd. Varie has become an anchor for the contemporary art community.

Over the years, Ed. Varie has hosted hundreds of events ranging from art exhibitions, book launches, community dinners and workshops. It calls itself “a continually reimagined creative space promoting up and coming international artists and designers.”