Elias Sime at James Cohan Gallery

Megaphones accent the surfaces of Ethiopian artist Elias Sime’s latest sculptures at James Cohan Gallery, prompting viewers to question what voices are amplified in public discourse.  In the context of politics and the pandemic, Sime explains that he’s thinking about “…how humans are easily manipulated by individuals and rush to conclusions that they often regret when the truth begins to surface.”  Having recently created domed sculpture for a show at the Saint Louis Art Museum inspired by Native American Cahokia Mounds and the St Louis Gateway Arch, this huge, bowl-like sculpture is a highlight of Sime’s current show. (On view in Tribeca through April 24th.  Masks, social distancing and appointments are required).

Elias Sime, Tightrope: Eyes and Ears of a Bat (1), reclaimed electrical wires on wood, 47 ¼ x 83 ½ inches, 2020.

Elias Sime at James Cohan Gallery

Addis Ababa-based artist Elias Sime continues to turn discarded electronics into compositions that can suggest aerial maps or abstracted landscapes in his latest show at Chelsea’s James Cohan Gallery.  Computers made in China, sold in the US and discarded in Ethiopia make their way into artworks that implicitly question resource distribution and rampant consumption.  (On view through June 29th.)

Elias Sime, detail of Tightrope: Noiseless 18, reclaimed electrical wires and components on panel, 100 ¼ x 63 ¼ inches, 2019.

Elias Sime at James Cohan Gallery

A swirling, starry sky crafted from braided electrical wire hovers over a curving organic landscape made from keyboard keys in this detail from Ethiopian artist Elias Sime’s collaged wall panel at James Cohan Gallery. Abstract yet suggestive of a landscape, this piece is testament to the resourcefulness of turning manmade objects – discarded electronics – into objects recalling natural beauty. (On view at James Cohan Gallery’s Chelsea location through June 17th).

Elias Sime, (detail) Tightrope: Evolution 2, reclaimed electrical wires on panel, 91 x 94 inches, 2017.

Elias Sime at James Cohan Gallery

Addis Ababa-based artist Elias Sime carries away electronic components by the truck-full from Africa’s largest open-air market in order to create gorgeous installations like this colorful collage at Chelsea’s James Cohan Gallery. (Through Oct 17th).

Elias Sime, Tightrope 7, reclaimed electronic components and wires on panel, 8 ½ x 39 ¼ feet (estimated), 2009-2014.