About Art, Women, and Awakening… and about the Permanence of Self-Re-Invention
A conversation with Lisa Faye Hames, founder of the Luxembourg-based Muka Collective. A collective that works in partnership, curating + co-creating with female artists whilst supporting women-focused initiatives and NGOs. Muka Collective’s Art Salons and exhibitions offer uplifting artistic experiences that bring forward talented artists, raise awareness for female entrepreneurship and question existing societal boundaries.
Intrigued by the title of her latest exhibition “She Awakened to Her Truth”, featuring Lindsey Nobel and Anna Krieps, we sat down with Lisa to learn more about the meaning and message it embodies.
For the first Art Salon She Awakened to Her Truth, Muka Collective featured a unique line-up of female artists: Lindsey Nobel, a mid-career painter/sculptor from New York/Los Angeles and Anna Krieps, an emerging photographer from Luxembourg.
Lindsey Nobel’s work explores the intricate patterns and abstract forms reminiscent of neural networks and energy fields. Nobel uses the platform of the grid to merge infinite fields where disparate beings interface with organic and inorganic phenomena. Her work manifests the immense grid of information where technology, the metaverse, the multiverse and consciousness interface. These works evoke a profound connectivity within the human experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the invisible ties that bind us.
WAVES OF PARTICLES {MAY 2022} LUCID ART FOUNDATION
116 cm W x 158 cm H - acrylic, charcoal on canvas
Anna Krieps’ Project 13, a first-time collaboration with Muka Collective, features a new limited series of photographs depicting Mermaids shot around the Stauséi in northwestern Luxembourg. Project 13 explores the natural environment and artistic response to the climate emergency – exploring themes of care, hope, spiritual connection and activism. With a distinct sensibility to convey narrative through imagery, Krieps’ mermaids invites viewers to pause and reflect on the quiet, often overlooked moments that define our lives.
Exploring Emerging Voices and Identity
As per the curator, the exhibition title “She Awakened to Her Truth” encapsulates a profound journey of self-discovery and empowerment among women artists who are on the brink of recognition. This showcase aims to highlight those who, while not necessarily newcomers, have yet to achieve significant visibility in the art world. It reflects a growing movement to celebrate the voices of women who are navigating their artistic paths amidst various societal roles and expectations.
The term "emerging" in this context transcends mere novelty; it signifies artists who are evolving, finding their unique expressions, and preparing for a breakthrough. The exhibition seeks to illuminate these artists' experiences, providing them with a platform to share their narratives and creativity. As the curator notes, this is not just about showcasing talent but also about fostering a community where women can connect and support one another in their artistic endeavors.
Central to the exhibition is a theme of self-reflection, which is reflected in Lisa’s own personal and professional journey.
Lisa is a creative leader who has dedicated her career not only to exceptional design, but to visionary and collaborative pursuits meant to empower women in art, design and artisan communities in different regions of the world where she has lived, while raising her two daughters —from West Africa to Southeast Asia.
A native New Yorker, Lisa has extensive experience as a creative director, art curator, interior and multidisciplinary designer. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Art/Design and Environmental Analysis and Interior Design (architecture d'intérieur).
This type of experience resonates with many women, who often juggle multiple roles—daughter, mother, artist—leading to a constant reinvention of self. The dialogue around these evolving identities is crucial; as women navigate their various responsibilities, they often find themselves questioning the permanence of their roles and aspirations.
Here the curator highlights a critical observation: the Western perspective usually emphasizes and promotes notions of permanence and stability. This viewpoint can lead to self-doubt and underappreciation of one's potential. By encouraging artists to embrace change and fluidity in their identities, the exhibition aims to foster an environment where growth is celebrated rather than stifled.
The Ripple Effect of Art
Art serves as a powerful catalyst for change, creating ripples that extend beyond the canvas. Lisa believes that through this process of awakening, both artists and viewers can engage in meaningful conversations about identity, resilience, and empowerment. The exhibition thus becomes not just a showcase but a movement—a call for recognition of women's contributions to art and society, and a call for partnerships and solidarity with those who are less privileged.
In a true collaborative spirit, Muka Collective’s She Awakened to Her Truth Art Salon mashed up the traditional gallery experience by blending artworks with exquisite furniture, creating an environment that feels more like a well-designed home than a conventional art gallery. The timeless mid-century furniture pieces in the pop-up space were co-curated with Michèle Rob from Rob Vintage. The pieces, carefully placed among the artworks, formed intimate vignettes that invited attendees to envision art as an integral part of living spaces. Each piece of furniture not only complemented the artworks but also told its own story, resonating with the themes of identity and transformation.
Poetry and music rounded off the Salon’s concept. The finissage of the “She Awakened to her Truth” Art Salon Pop-Up that took place on October 12th 2024, titled ‘HER’, offered a vibrant and enriching evening that brought together art performances by two emerging female artists from Luxembourg. Each live performance captured and celebrated the exhibition’s thematic narrative of identity, belonging, transformation and the relatable journey of awakening and self-realization.
Esther Correia, a Luxembourg multi-dimensional artist who expresses herself across many artistic disciplines, i.e. painting, singing/song writing and wine making, performed three stunning original songs that she wrote, whilst being accompanied by the super talented Cabo Verdean Guitarist Djamilo: 1. Bad Taste - 2. Beautiful Stranger - 3. Earth Water Fire.
The second performance was a poetry reading performed by a Luxembourgish emerging artist Anita Gretsch. The poem ‘She Awakened to her Truth’ was written and recited in both French and English. Anita’s provocative and illuminating style of (question and answer - single monologue performance) demanded the audience in real time to reflect and ponder what ‘awakening to oneself’ can mean, based on personal interpretations and experiences of the human existence.
And in alignment with its commitment to making a positive difference, Muka Collective also donated a percentage of the proceeds to Stand, Speak, Rise Up, a Luxembourg civil society organization dedicated to preventing sexual violence in conflict zones, supporting survivors and working to amplify the voices of victims, advocating for their rights and providing them with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives.
In conclusion, “She Awakened to Her Truth” invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of womanhood and artistry. It champions emerging voices while acknowledging the multifaceted identities that women embody.
As these artists step into their truths, they inspire others to do the same, creating a vibrant tapestry of experiences that enrich the art world.
At Charlotte in red we are definitely looking forward to discover the next edition of Muka Collective’s salons. In the meantime don’t miss out on their showcase in the “Take Off” section of the 2024 Luxembourg Art Week, which will take place Nov 22-24.