Marking her debut solo exhibition at a museum, Uman introduces an array of new creations, encompassing paintings, drawings, video, and sculpture. Her interdisciplinary approach continuously evolves, blending painting, drawing, murals, mosaics, sculpture, and glass. Uman’s art is deeply connected to color’s tangible nature and the evocative power of imagery. Her work, influenced by memories, dreams, and life’s ever-changing dynamics, possesses an intuitive and layered visual language that is adaptable and unfettered, bridging the gap between abstraction and metaphor.
Uman’s artistic inspirations are diverse, drawn from her childhood in East Africa, her diasporic journeys through Europe and the United States, and her appreciation for textiles and global fashion. Her subjects reflect the vibrant textiles of Somali markets, the graceful curves of Arabic calligraphy, and the expansive landscapes of Kenya and Upstate New York. The exhibition, ‘Uman: After all the things …’, is on display at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut, until May 10, 2026, featuring new and recent artworks.
Incorporating oil, acrylic, spray paint, oil sticks, and occasionally collage and sewing, Uman’s vibrant compositions abound with lively colors and dreamlike patterns. She often works on multiple pieces at once, crafting her visual narratives with energetic techniques, including dry brushes and her own hands, which blur the lines between painting and drawing. Her art weaves together elements of art history, autobiography, spirituality, and the natural world, striving for metaphorical depth through a devoted observation of nature.
Accompanying the exhibition is Uman’s inaugural museum publication, co-published by Gregory R. Miller & Co., containing an essay by the curator, along with images of the artworks and their installation. For further details, visit thealdrich.org. The exhibition ‘Uman: After all the things …’ has been curated by Amy Smith-Stewart, the Diana Bowes Chief Curator.
