Artists to Watch This Month: 10 Solo Gallery Exhibitions to Seek Out in September in New York
Annikka Olsen
September 6, 2023
Sheida Soleimani, Khoy (2021). Courtesy of the artist and Denny Gallery.
September marks the end of summer, back to school, return to office—and the start of art-fair season. Coinciding with Armory Week in New York, dozens of gallery exhibitions are opening across the city this week. From emerging artists debuting at new galleries and established artists presenting new bodies of work, it’s an exciting time to go gallery-hopping.
Sheida Soleimani, “Birds of Passage”
Denny Gallery, September 5–October 7, 2023
Sheida Soleimani’s ongoing series “Ghost Writer” sees the artist construct elaborate photographic vignettes through which she “ghostwrites” the lives and histories of her parents (specifically within their context as dissidents in post-1979 Iran) and other refugees—those currently seeking asylum in Europe, as well as in pre- and post-9/11 America. The series debuted at Providence College Galleries and Edel Assanti in London, and earlier this summer went on view at the MFA Boston in the solo exhibition “Banner Project.”
Now, the newest installment goes on view this month at Denny Gallery in “Birds of Passage.” Here Soleimani continues her artistic investigation with her parents. Using her signature vibrant collaged backdrops and meticulously staged objects, Soleimani illustrates their lives and memories, hopes and dreams, offering a visual exploration of personal and collective narratives.
Sheida Soleimani, Dissident (2023). Courtesy of the artist and Denny Gallery.