Mindy Solomon is pleased to present In Aludria, Lanise Howard’s third solo exhibition with the gallery. Continuing with her tradition of masterful storytelling and graphic imagery, Howard explores a new body of work through an Afro-futurist lens. Afro-futurism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy that blends African diasporic culture with science fiction, fantasy, and technology to reimagine the past, present, and future — fostering Black identity, liberation, and empowerment through art.

Howard writes: “I am interested in creating an analogous world where hidden histories, personal allegories, and multiple periods of time merge. My work ranges from portraiture to large-scale allegorical figurative paintings and often exists between differing states of being. Through paint, I aim to construct spaces that allow the viewer to become transported.

This world began as a reimagining of narratives in which Black figures are thriving — adapting like chameleons, ebbing and changing with each new challenge. It is a space of possibility, where change itself becomes a central element. Through engagement and inquiry, I present ideas while offering room for reflection and response.

I am primarily interested in the figure and the landscape. Realism and abstraction are juxtaposed as I search for both the tangible and the intangible. This push and pull between inner and outer space is rendered through paint to offer a glimpse into the in-between, beyond what we typically see.

Domestic scenes converge with surreal landscapes, creating new ways of viewing. Figures may appear angular, with references to historical compositions and sculpture. Flora and fauna are arranged in unconventional, often discordant ways. Recent works reflect a growing experimentation with color and composition. Recurring narratives — such as the afterlife, ancestral realms, and acts of honoring those who came before us — have come to the forefront, alongside explorations of Black female beauty, the divine feminine, and the Diva. Some works remain grounded in this reality, while others reside more fully within the dreamed space. Through this investigation, I continue to reach toward the in-between and the analogous, seeking ways to construct it materially.”

With a focus on portraiture and delicately rendered landscapes, flora, and fauna, Howard once again demonstrates why she is one of the preeminent painters of Black storytelling today.