Rana Begum Sees What You Don’t

London-based artist Rana Begum's debut solo exhibition at Lehmann Maupin in New York is an extraordinary visual experience that defies conventional perception. The 18 works, drawn from various series throughout her career, employ basic yet unconventional materials such as glass, automotive components, chain link, and metal to craft intricate, mind-bending displays of color and light.

During a walkthrough of her installation, Begum emphasized the significance of three core elements in her art: light, form, and color. Each piece exhibits a unique equilibrium of these elements, with some series emphasizing light and others focusing on form. Regardless, all works maintain an interdependent relationship between these elements, with no single aspect capable of being removed without altering the overall impact.

One of the opening pieces, "No. 1628" (2026), features a series of powder-coated aluminum bars mounted on the wall. The sides of each bar are painted in vivid, almost neon shades of yellow and pink. The precise spacing of the bars generates fascinating optical illusions as viewers move around the piece, revealing hidden hues and geometric patterns that emerge only under specific lighting conditions. In essence, the artwork resembles a lenticular photograph but relies solely on color and light, not imagery.

Begum also highlighted the temporal aspect of her work, stating, "You have to observe, see how the work shifts and changes through the day." This was evident in the gallery space, where a piece near a window seemed to respond dynamically to the sun's position. Begum remarked, "This series, which I started around 2007, is an anchor for me. Just mentally, it's crazy that this is happening in your eye and brain, right?"