Dario Mohr
From top to bottom, left to right:
Dario Mohr, Abankɛseɛ 1, 2023. Wooden object assemblage, acrylic paint, paperweight, acrylic tile, photography collage printed on window film adhered to plastic cylinder, LED light, acrylic on leather rope, 28 x 8 x 8 inches.
Ɔhemmaa, 2023. Custom made Finial commissioned from Accra, Ghana (IG: @dotcomarts), light cover, acrylic tile, photography collage printed on window film adhered to plastic cylinder, LED light, metal vase, acrylic on leather rope, 10 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches.
Ɔhene, 2023. Snow globe, acrylic tile, photography collage printed on window film adhered to plastic cylinder, LED light, acrylic on leather rope, 25 x 8 x 8 inches.
Obosomfo 1, 2023. Acrylic tile, photography collage printed on window film adhered to gold painted metal object, broken hourglass, chain, wooden drawer, object assemblage, LED light, acrylic on leather rope, 16.5 x 8 x 8 inches.
Pɔnkɔ 2, 2023. Chains, trophy piece, wood, acrylic paint, acrylic tile, glass, incense burner lid, photography collage printed on window film adhered to plastic bucket, LED light, acrylic on leather rope, 13.5 x 12 x 12.2 inches.
Abankɛseɛ 2, 2023. Miniature Asante stool (sourced from Kumasi, Ghana), marble, object assemblage, photography collage printed on window film adhered to glass, LED light, acrylic on leather rope, 12.5 x 9.5 x 5 inches.
Back:
Dario Mohr, Agokansie, 2023. Wooden pillar, stone mask, acrylic paint, coconut, photography collage printed on window film adhered to plastic cylinder, acrylic on leather rope Glowing speaker and audio recording: Conversation with guides Confidence and Evans of Ucomeafrik, 72 x 16 x 16 inches.
Visual Description:
Four tiered pedestals containing 8 small glowing sculptures are situated in a dark interior space. The eight sculptures are assemblages: vessels made from a combination of architectural elements and common place objects including a snow globe, bits of trophy, an electric candle, an acrylic tile, piece of marble, metallic embellishments; to name a few. The common bric-a-brac is transformed using transparent photography and paint. The overall effect is that of otherworldly receptacles displayed on multi-colored tiered pedestals.
The four tiers are stacked on top of one another, solid geometric pedestals with the shimmering sculptures punctuated between each tier. The bottom platform is the first tier, it is an aquamarine diamond-shape with the sculpture Abankɛseɛ 2 sitting at the front facing point of platform.
The second tier is a smaller cube shape placed in the center of the first tier platform. When viewed from the front and back, it is the same aquamarine color, while the left and right sides are a sand color. Its top is a heavily brush stroked forest green color, which has 4 sculptures on each of its 4 points. The works Obosomfo 1 and Obosomfo 2 diagonal from each other. Additionally, Obosomfo 1 and Obosomfo 2 are also on opposing diagonal ends.
The third tier is a smaller white cube placed in the center of the second tier, mimicking the diamond shape of the first tier. Atop this tier sits two comparatively taller, narrow cylindrical works on it. The works, Ɔhene is on the left and Ɔhemmaa is on the right.
The fourth tier is made up of four light gray cement breeze blocks configured into a rectangle in the center of the third tier. Here, the tallest of the sculptures, Abankɛseɛ 1 sits on top.
To the right back corner of the same room is an adult sized column called Agokansie that has been painted dark brown, dark forest green, brilliant gold, and sand beige. The column echoes the elements used in the smaller assemblages including transparent photography, found objects, and a soft glowing source of light. The piece includes an audio recording of a conversation Mohr had with his guides along his journey driving across borders between Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria in summer 2023. This is playing out of a glowing speaker contained within the sculpture's top, covered by a coconut shell.
About
Dario Mohr is a first generation Grenadian, U.S. citizen born in 1988. Based in New York City, Mohr is an interdisciplinary artist, educator and non profit leader. He received a BFA in Painting from Buffalo State College, an MFA in Studio Art from The City College of New York and an Advanced Certificate in At Education from Queens College. His work involves the creation of "sacred spaces" referencing his heritage, and expressing commentary on the cultural zeitgeist through immersive sanctuary experiences. His practice is interdisciplinary, converging painting, sculpture, installation, digital art and film. Recently, he has accompanied his work with performances, including “The Archetype Activation Ritual” presented in tandem with his solo show presented as artist in residence at Materials For the Arts. He also began presenting in public spaces, with notable works including “Sow the Seeds” created during his 2021 Fellowship with ArtBridge, and “Revelations Across Generations” Exhibited during his solo exhibit at the Lewis Latimer House Museum. In addition to his individual art practice, he is also the Founder and Director of AnkhLave Arts Alliance, Inc. which is a non-profit arts organization for the recognition and representation of BIPOC artists in contemporary art.