Uman's latest exhibition at the Aldrich Museum in Connecticut is a deeply personal and introspective body of work that defies easy categorization. The 33 paintings on display are landscapes, abstracts, and meditations on the artist's own internal world – all rendered in vibrant colors and textures.
According to Uman, the seeds of this exhibition were sown during her collaboration with chief curator Amy Smith-Stewart three years ago. Uman had initially envisioned a solo show as part of her commercial trajectory, but Smith-Stewart offered her an unexpected opportunity that felt more like a homecoming than a marketing push. Uman chose to take it.
This exhibition marks a turning point in Uman's career – one where she can explore themes and ideas without the constraints of external expectations. With this newfound freedom, she has created a deeply meditative work that invites viewers to step into her inner world.
For Uman, this body of work is an exercise in self-exorcism, as if she were trying to unravel the complex emotions and thoughts of the past year – one marked by significant changes, including a new president, global anxiety, and personal growth. In this sense, the paintings are not just visual statements but emotional landscapes that convey Uman's inner turmoil.
The street lamps, which have long fascinated her, serve as a recurring motif throughout the exhibition. These objects of urban life take on a mythical quality in their presence, symbolizing both functionality and beauty – or perhaps even something more profound than either.
Uman's vision for this show is not to convey a message but to evoke an emotional response in viewers. It's about inviting people to sit, reflect, and find joy in the work. As she once said of her creative process, "I don't want people to take away a message... Some respond, some don’t."
According to Uman, the seeds of this exhibition were sown during her collaboration with chief curator Amy Smith-Stewart three years ago. Uman had initially envisioned a solo show as part of her commercial trajectory, but Smith-Stewart offered her an unexpected opportunity that felt more like a homecoming than a marketing push. Uman chose to take it.
This exhibition marks a turning point in Uman's career – one where she can explore themes and ideas without the constraints of external expectations. With this newfound freedom, she has created a deeply meditative work that invites viewers to step into her inner world.
For Uman, this body of work is an exercise in self-exorcism, as if she were trying to unravel the complex emotions and thoughts of the past year – one marked by significant changes, including a new president, global anxiety, and personal growth. In this sense, the paintings are not just visual statements but emotional landscapes that convey Uman's inner turmoil.
The street lamps, which have long fascinated her, serve as a recurring motif throughout the exhibition. These objects of urban life take on a mythical quality in their presence, symbolizing both functionality and beauty – or perhaps even something more profound than either.
Uman's vision for this show is not to convey a message but to evoke an emotional response in viewers. It's about inviting people to sit, reflect, and find joy in the work. As she once said of her creative process, "I don't want people to take away a message... Some respond, some don’t."
uman's artwork is literally like a window into her soul, and it's so refreshing to see artists being true to themselves without any external pressure 
the way she's woven themes of anxiety and self-discovery throughout her paintings is just genius 
i can imagine stepping into one of these pieces and feeling all the emotions too 
it's just paintings, right? Uman's got her own thing goin on and she's not worried about what others think. I mean, who needs a "message" in an art show anyway? that's like sayin' the point of watchin paint dry is to learn somethin'. give me a break 
I'm literally loving Uman's latest exhibition at the Aldrich Museum! It's like she's taking us on this super personal journey into her own mind 
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. And the way she describes the exhibition as an exercise in self-exorcism is so profound 
. It's not about trying to tell us what to think or feel, but rather inviting us to experience her emotions and find our own inner peace 
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. Uman's show is like a warm hug on a cold day 
️ – it just makes you feel better 
!
But now, it's like they're trying to make you feel something on a primal level or whatever. This Uman girl, she's got some crazy vibes goin' on with her art 
. I love how she's all about gettin' people to connect with their emotions and stuff... it's like she's tryin' to hug you through the paintings 
. And them street lamps? Whoa, they're like little urban myths or somethin' 
. I'm not sure if I'd want to sit in front of this show for hours like she wants us to do 
... but hey, that's just me bein' old-fashioned 
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. I love how Uman has been able to tap into her own emotions and create something so raw and honest. It's like she's inviting us to step into her inner world and experience it with her. The street lamps are such a great metaphor - they're these everyday objects that can be both functional and beautiful, but also really profound. I think it's so cool that Uman is prioritizing emotional response over message or explanation. It's like she's saying, 'just feel something' 
. This exhibition feels like a breath of fresh air - it's like we're all invited to slow down and be present with each other... and ourselves 
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