Montague Contemporary company logo
Montague Contemporary
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • Supper Club
  • Journeys
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Residency
Menu

One of Many Ideas of Home: ELIAS MUNG'ORA

Past exhibition
2 May - 29 June 2024
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Press
One of Many Ideas of Home, ELIAS MUNG'ORA
View works

In his new series "One of Many Ideas of Home," Elias Mung'ora embarks on a deeply personal exploration of identity, belonging, and familial history. Drawing from his own experiences and relationships, as well as a quest to understand his ancestry in Nyeri, Central Kenya, Mung'ora weaves a rich narrative that examines the interplay between individual lives and broader historical contexts. Through the integration of old family photographs, often layered to the point of obscurity, he seeks to connect with and evoke memories and histories that are otherwise inaccessible, inviting a reflection on the ways we relate to our pasts.

 

Central to the series is the recurring motif of carpets, symbolizing contested spaces and the notion of home as both a physical and emotional construct. This theme is particularly poignant in works like “Lunch in the Midst of an Unplanned Move,” where the absence of a carpet reflects a moment of displacement and a reevaluation of what it means to belong. Mung'ora’s work transcends the autobiographical, challenging viewers to consider their own perceptions of home and identity against the backdrop of Kenya's colonial history and the universal quest for rootedness and connection.

 

The artwork “At Home on My 30th” is a compelling highlight within this series. Set against the backdrop of a vividly depicted home interior, this piece contrasts sharply defined carpets—symbolic of claimed, intimate space and value—with abstract, less defined elements like walls and ceilings, representing the impermanence of the artist's current state of rootedness. On this significant personal milestone, Elias reflects on the transient nature of home and belonging, using the carpet as both a literal and metaphorical foundation within the space. This artwork not only reflects personal sentiment but also engages with broader themes of identity and cultural legacy, making it a powerful piece for both contemplation and discussion.

Related artist

  • Elias Mung'ora

    Elias Mung'ora

Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Back to exhibitions

MONTAGUE CONTEMPORARY

526 West 26th Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY USA

VIEW MAP

CONTACT

info@montaguecontemporary.com 

+19174953865

HOURS

Thursday -- Saturday from 11am - 6pm

Private viewings available by appointment

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Artsy, opens in a new tab.
Join the mailing list
Send an email
Privacy Policy
Manage cookies
Copyright © Montague Contemporary 2025
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Don't Miss a Beat

Sign up for our mailing list to stay plugged in to the latest exhibitions, supper clubs, events, and news.

Signup

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied to communicate with you in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.