Off the Wall

Off the Wall

Feb. 17 - June 20, 2022
Mary LeFlore Clements Oklahoma Gallery

Watch the Off the Wall Artist Talk here

Off the Wall featured three Oklahoma-based artists — Sarah Ahmad, romy owens and Marium Rana — who created large-scale works that came in stunning and unexpected forms. These artists worked in fiber, textiles and mixed media, using techniques that ranged from sewing and quilting to the intricate application of paint and the exploration of cutting-edge technology.

romy owens, Nothing Can Be Perfect (detail), 2022.

Ahmad, owens and Rana created immersive and interactive installations to transform the Mary Leflore Clements Oklahoma Gallery. Rather than being confined to the walls, their artwork extended into the air and explored the physical, vertical volume of the gallery. Off the Wall invited visitors to experience the gallery in a radically different way than a traditional white cube.

Ahmad, owens and Rana interpreted universal human experiences through three distinct artistic styles. Each work could be viewed as individual constellations on themes as varied as tradition, chaos and travel. Placing all three works in conversation with each other encouraged viewers to reflect on the interconnectedness of humanity. The interactive component of each work highlighted how individual perception can transform universal ideas into constantly evolving experiences.

This exhibition was supported by Ad Astra Foundation, Annie Bohanon, The Chickasaw Nation, Cox, Leslie and Cliff Hudson, The Kanady Family, George Records, Jeanne Hoffman Smith, Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum and Velocigo.