{"id":17887,"date":"2026-02-19T13:46:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=17887"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:46:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:46:31","slug":"yearning-to-breathe-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/yearning-to-breathe-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Yearning to Breathe Free"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
We the people<\/em> by Elvira Clayton
34″x16″x11″; woven plastic bags, mixed media; 2026; Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

COLLAGE ON VIEW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elvira Clayton: Yearning to Breathe Free<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

at Open Source Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, USA
7 February-22 March 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYearning to Breathe Free\u201d examines displacement through materials associated with migration, survival, and instability. Using the red, white, blue, and black woven plastic bags\u2014often referred to as \u201crefugee bags,\u201d \u201cGhana-must-go bags,\u201d \u201cTurkish suitcases,\u201d and \u201cChinatown totes\u201d\u2014along with tarps, Clayton works with objects embedded in global histories of movement and vulnerability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These utilitarian materials, commonly used by migrants, refugees, and laborers, function as vessels for belongings, trauma, and memory. In Clayton\u2019s Harlem community, immigrant street vendors frequently use them to transport goods to market. Tarps\u2014materials of emergency and exposure\u2014allude to fragile forms of shelter, offering partial protection that is both temporary and necessary for survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Behind my back<\/em> by Elvira Clayton
48″x22″x16″; woven plastic bags, mixed media; 2026; Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By cutting them apart, Clayton deconstructs the bags and tarps, then reassembles the fragments into large-scale, totem-like sculptural weavings. The works are embellished with inexpensive articles\u2014such as safety pins, pony beads, and found objects sourced from the \u201cAfrican Market,\u201d dollar stores, beauty supply stores, and hardware shops in her Harlem neighborhood. These elements function as amulets and talismans, offering symbolic protection for communities rendered vulnerable by displacement.

This program is supported, in part, by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

(text adapted from material provided by the gallery)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

INFORMATION<\/strong>

Open Source Gallery<\/strong>
306 17th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11215 USA
(646) 279-3969<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours:
Thursday-Friday, 4PM-6PM
Saturday-Sunday, 2PM-6PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAP <\/a>| WEBSITE<\/a> | INSTAGRAM<\/a> | FACEBOOK<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COLLAGE ON VIEW Elvira Clayton: Yearning to Breathe Free at Open Source Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, USA7 February-22 March 2026 \u201cYearning to Breathe Free\u201d examines displacement through materials associated with migration, survival, and instability. Using the red, white, blue,…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":17888,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Elvira-Clayton-Behind-my-back-web.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2QTD7-4Ev","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6664,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/piecework\/","url_meta":{"origin":17887,"position":0},"title":"Piecework","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"5 March 2018","format":"gallery","excerpt":"COLLAGE ON VIEW \"Piecework\" at Pavel Zoubok Gallery in New York City 1 March-21 April 2018 \"Piecework\" is a group exhibition featuring quilt-like collages by Vanessa German, Joe Lewis, Diane Samuels, Donna Sharrett and Stephen Sollins. 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