Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, announced that the institution’s
temporary programming space Studio Museum 127 will present the exhibition Dozie Kanu: Function, from November 15, 2019, through March 15, 2020. The first solo museum exhibition devoted to the work of this rapidly rising artist, Function maps the arc of Kanu’s practice over the last three years through nine works that explore tensions between form and function, African and African-American craft traditions, and art and design. The exhibition presents a selection of works made of found, recycled, and industrial materials. Kanu’s practice challenges us to reexamine perceptions of ‘fine art’ while we reconsider what an art object is and how it can function.

Born in Houston in 1993 to Nigerian immigrant parents, Dozie Kanu studied film production design at the School
of Visual Arts in New York. He participated in his first group exhibitions in 2017, received a Miami Design District holiday commission in 2018, and was awarded the Hublot Design Prize the same year. His first solo exhibitions were held in London and Detroit in 2018. He currently lives and works in Azoia de Cima, Portugal.

Thelma Golden said, “While our building project moves forward, the Studio Museum is being nimble in its off-site exhibitions and programming—and nimbleness is exactly what we’ve needed to catch up with the astonishing Dozie Kanu. We’re thrilled to be giving him his first solo museum exhibition when he’s at the cusp of a change in his practice, pushing boundaries in how we think about what artwork can do, and how its use can be challenged.”

Legacy Russell, Associate Curator, Exhibitions, said, “Dozie Kanu’s sculptures challenge viewers to question
opinions and institutional definitions of design and art. We are thrilled to present the work of a sculptor who has
pushed these boundaries, and look forward to sharing this exceptional artist’s work with the community.”

Dozie Kanu: Function is organized by Legacy Russell, Associate Curator, Exhibitions, with Yelena Keller, Curatorial Assistant, Exhibitions. Studio Museum 127, located at 429 West 127th Street between Amsterdam and Convent Avenues, is the Museum’s temporary programming space while it constructs its new building, designed by Adjaye Associates in collaboration with Cooper Robertson. 

For more information, visit studiomuseum.org