Artist-to-Artist: Massinissa Selmani Selected by Zineb Sedira
The Algerian-born artist, presented at Frieze London 2024 by Selma Feriani, was chosen by Sedira for his ‘poetical and political’ work
The Algerian-born artist, presented at Frieze London 2024 by Selma Feriani, was chosen by Sedira for his ‘poetical and political’ work
For his presentation at Frieze London 2024, Massinissa Selmani reflects on interconnected themes such as territoriality and movement, evoking contemplation rather than straightforward narrative. His pieces challenge the viewer's gaze, presenting compositions that are both familiar and enigmatic, inviting reinterpretation with each viewing. Selmani’s works pose questions because they do not present themselves in an explicitly narrative way. Instead, they are assemblages: a recomposed whole of strange and incongruous situations, delivering an ambiguous message.
Zineb Sedira, who selected Selman for Artist-to-Artist 2024, explained her choice:
‘What I like about Massinissa Selmani’s practice is that he incorporates drawings in pencil on paper alongside objects, video, collages, archival images, animation and humour to create complex installations.The work is minimal, quiet, poetical and appears ephemeral yet on closer look it is about social and political issues. Massinissa’s works are often concerned with historical events in colonial and postcolonial Algeria, his country of birth. Then again, the artist’s topics opens up to other territories and stories.’
About Massinissa Selmani
Born in Algeria in 1980, Massinissa Selmani addresses contemporary and political issues through drawings that combine a documentary approach with fictional constructions and animations. He constructs situations that confront, juxtapose and even superimpose elements in a context that is systematically concealed. He lives and works in Tours, France.
Massinissa Selmani is showing with Selma Feriani Gallery at Frieze London 2024.
Further Information
Frieze London and Frieze Masters 2024, The Regent’s Park, 9 – 13 October 2024.
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Main image: Rob Davis, Quilt 3, 2024 (detail). Oil on linen. Courtesy Broadway Gallery
