Can't Turn Aroundby Ta-coumba T. Aiken
Mar 8 – Apr 20, 2024
![Abstract artwork featuring a complex, colorful array of intertwining lines and shapes on a textured background.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/df2da11a8fc7105063d582a26710e56ee4791fe3-2400x4817.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Ancestor's Tears, 2023. Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/22d0296a64a873c52d3425ee6052d8283c0ef508-2400x4868.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Precious Fortune, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/fb8984071b63d44c4f8240559f35c92de327c7a3-2400x2408.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Reunion, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas. 40 x 40 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/bf461881ef29e6ef8dd79e9f70951c1287ae7e98-4608x3456.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Precious Fortune, Reunion. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/07b6631359ee4c447a5e619afe8850c5ee6562ba-2400x1798.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Identity: Lost and Found, 2018
Acrylic on Canvas. 36 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/bc456d90ac3948943698bd19e499978f03604c95-2400x4852.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. The Watcher, 2023
Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas.
36 x 18 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/41d75e24ec7e6a0fb31f1ed7e040cd0ebb7a04a9-4608x3456.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Can't Turn Around. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/4c7ef8ccded17d24001ca0e130c0e82f8aee228b-2646x2635.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Generation to Generation (diptych), 2023
Acyrlic on canvas. 48 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/cfda757133210b0a75a46bc7fad7c14f9d183328-2400x3206.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Conversation, 2023
Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/a4b251dba2ae2243be7f64f0f4a54597a99d29e5-3219x3106.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Radiant Blessing, Hidden Giant. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/13236191c42aea97e8d339099f6ee9513a47619e-1920x3862.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Radiant Blessing, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/5702756db1f47ad03530da39d20fc59f5306d256-2400x4956.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Hidden Giant, 2024
Acrylic on Unstretched Canvas
96 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/db23653164e4aebc7cfad7603926432e6188dd40-4141x3106.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled 1 - 6. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/34a70ccf18d873c17604bfa6a3aa53d16386643a-1278x1888.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/d6d5f4d76de81e96b90672e16d51c1cc201a9870-1389x1791.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/df07834cf8dcaabdde78fc036d8152f0be3c0b9e-1344x1822.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/36dea1c6675a84c3d2ca9795a9327fb3177576b0-1459x2012.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/ded97093ce39f2da941c23c1b5e3888161777d72-1464x2043.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/93e0813654236bc117e8956c5ed63ea6ee718034-1507x2046.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper
12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/4cfb6f6d7fdf0cb9bbab34a76333f0c2a495804d-4388x3291.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Wisdom Now, Can't Turn Around, Hold On. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/c900ca8ddd66add662c37a4464f803d1f665ff4e-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Wisdom Now, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/69581f466d4ece5b79e709a0df1cdd402c8b20ca-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Can't Turn Around, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/f5d86a68b19abba142309d764c9ec9f8969df30b-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Hold On, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
![Abstract artwork featuring a complex, colorful array of intertwining lines and shapes on a textured background.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/df2da11a8fc7105063d582a26710e56ee4791fe3-2400x4817.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Ancestor's Tears, 2023. Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/22d0296a64a873c52d3425ee6052d8283c0ef508-2400x4868.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Precious Fortune, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/fb8984071b63d44c4f8240559f35c92de327c7a3-2400x2408.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Reunion, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas. 40 x 40 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/bf461881ef29e6ef8dd79e9f70951c1287ae7e98-4608x3456.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Precious Fortune, Reunion. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/07b6631359ee4c447a5e619afe8850c5ee6562ba-2400x1798.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Identity: Lost and Found, 2018
Acrylic on Canvas. 36 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/bc456d90ac3948943698bd19e499978f03604c95-2400x4852.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. The Watcher, 2023
Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas.
36 x 18 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/41d75e24ec7e6a0fb31f1ed7e040cd0ebb7a04a9-4608x3456.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Can't Turn Around. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/4c7ef8ccded17d24001ca0e130c0e82f8aee228b-2646x2635.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Generation to Generation (diptych), 2023
Acyrlic on canvas. 48 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/cfda757133210b0a75a46bc7fad7c14f9d183328-2400x3206.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Conversation, 2023
Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/a4b251dba2ae2243be7f64f0f4a54597a99d29e5-3219x3106.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Radiant Blessing, Hidden Giant. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/13236191c42aea97e8d339099f6ee9513a47619e-1920x3862.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Radiant Blessing, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas. 72 x 36 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/5702756db1f47ad03530da39d20fc59f5306d256-2400x4956.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Hidden Giant, 2024
Acrylic on Unstretched Canvas
96 x 48 in.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/db23653164e4aebc7cfad7603926432e6188dd40-4141x3106.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled 1 - 6. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/34a70ccf18d873c17604bfa6a3aa53d16386643a-1278x1888.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/d6d5f4d76de81e96b90672e16d51c1cc201a9870-1389x1791.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/df07834cf8dcaabdde78fc036d8152f0be3c0b9e-1344x1822.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/36dea1c6675a84c3d2ca9795a9327fb3177576b0-1459x2012.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/ded97093ce39f2da941c23c1b5e3888161777d72-1464x2043.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper. 12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/93e0813654236bc117e8956c5ed63ea6ee718034-1507x2046.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on tape mounted to paper
12 x 9 in. 14½ x 11¼ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/4cfb6f6d7fdf0cb9bbab34a76333f0c2a495804d-4388x3291.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Wisdom Now, Can't Turn Around, Hold On. Installation view.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/c900ca8ddd66add662c37a4464f803d1f665ff4e-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Wisdom Now, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/69581f466d4ece5b79e709a0df1cdd402c8b20ca-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Can't Turn Around, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ryfgzcgq/production/f5d86a68b19abba142309d764c9ec9f8969df30b-1440x1800.jpg?w=1080&q=98&fit=clip&auto=format)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken. Hold On, 2024
Acrylic on Paper. 24 x 18 in. 29¾ x 23¾ in. (framed)
Dreamsong is pleased to announce Can’t Turn Around, Ta-coumba T. Aiken’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. Featuring recent paintings, collages, and drawings, the exhibition highlights the full range and depth of the artist’s practice. From masked and layered paintings to painted tape collages made from the latter’s remnants, and gestural, intuitive drawings, the works in Can’t Turn Around are intertwined with visions of the artist’s ancestors.
Ta-coumba T. Aiken lives and works in St. Paul, MN. His oeuvre encompasses hundreds of public murals and sculptures in the Twin Cities alongside a dedicated studio practice. His work is represented in numerous public collections, including the Walker Art Center, The Minnesota Museum of American Art, The Minnesota History Center, the Hennepin Theatre Trust, the Walker West Music Academy and at the Gillette Children’s Hospital, among many other institutions.
Through his tireless work as an artist, activist, and educator, Aiken has made an immeasurable contribution to the civic and artistic life of the Twin Cities. He attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is the recipient of numerous awards including a 2022 Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in Fine Arts, a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant, a Gottlieb Fellowship and a Bush Visual Arts fellowship.
Artist(s)
Ta-coumba T. Aiken