From Refugee to Warrior to Artist

CHICAGO - Jan. 9, 2016 - PRLog -- The multimedia artist, Folleh Tamba, presents the solo-exhibition, “Wars in Our Time”, installed at the Art Devour gallery in Chicago from January 23 to February 24, 2016 (opening reception January 24, 6-9pm). As a whole, the exhibit investigates the cyclical nature of humanity’s proclivity for self-harm – in its pieces, the work is an elemental unveiling and embrace of vulnerability.

Born in Chicago and raised in West Africa, Folleh Tamba fled the Liberian Civil War to rejoin family in the United States. In the span of 2000-2014, he obtained two bachelor’s degrees (Film, Justice Studies), an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Media (Columbia College), and a Purple Heart (awarded while serving the United States Marine Corps during the Global War on Terror).

As a filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist, Folleh’s collection of triggered memories, life reactions, interactions, and nightmares are processed, distilled, and morphed into narrative texts, nonfiction films, two-channel videos, audio installations, drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

“Wars in Our Time” organizes all of these forms of media under one roof, allowing the viewer to interact with the psyche of an artist who has known war from all perspectives. The exhibit seeks to transcend the reactionary and divisive trends that dominate our culture – it is an immersive, real-space documentation of the human condition – using the backdrop of war to elucidate the undying efforts of mankind to overcome the tragic and horrific by communicating its impact via art and poetry.

Art Devour is a nonprofit that inspires restorative self-reflection in order to educate youth, ages 5-18. Its programs are designed to challenge students in under-served communities where resources are often limited or not accessible to students. Art Devour provides outreach to educational institutions with in-school and after-school programming, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions.

Art Devour is located at 2814 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60618. Its website is www.artdevourfoundation.org. Contact the director, Karen Perkins at Karen@artdevourfoundation.org.

Folleh Tamba's website is www.follehtamba.com.