The Facts
The Renaissance Society in Chicago has opened "Tendered," a solo exhibition by Karimah Ashadu, on view until November 1, 2026. The show marks the U.S. debut of "MUSCLE," a moving-image installation centered on bodybuilders training in Lagos's slums, co-commissioned by the Renaissance Society, Fondazione In Between Art Film, and Camden Art Centre. It also includes new sculptural works derived from the film's environments. The exhibition is organized within the framework of Unison, a biennial initiative by Fondazione In Between Art Film, and is curated by Alessandro Rabottini and Leonardo Bigazzi with Myriam Ben Salah and Karsten Lund.
The Signal
Ashadu's practice, rooted in her upbringing between Nigeria and the UK, examines how bodies are formed and valued within West African labor systems. "MUSCLE" extends her inquiry into bodily exertion and self-fashioning, building on earlier works such as "Machine Boys" (2024), "Plateau" (2022), and "Red Gold" (2016). For collectors and curators, this debut signals the Renaissance Society's continued commitment to international moving-image practice and highlights Ashadu's rising prominence in contemporary art, particularly her nuanced portrayal of informal economies and aspiration.
- Artists: Karimah Ashadu
- People: Alessandro Rabottini, Leonardo Bigazzi, Myriam Ben Salah, Karsten Lund
- Galleries: Renaissance Society
- Locations: Chicago
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