Here, Now, and In the Multiverse Through February 9, 2025

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“I always wondered what happened to these spirits when many of the families left their villages to go in exile—if they followed the people how they functioned in this world, and how they would assimilate into different, non-local atmospheres . . . I am primarily imagining the spirit as one who tries to assimilate into our contemporary world, but there is no defined path to understanding the spirit either.” —Tsherin Sherpa, 2021

The artists in Here, Now, and In the Multiverse depict heavenly bodies that exist in extraordinary realms. These celestial beings take on the forms of various deities—metamorphosed by references to our complex contemporary lives—while their impossible beauty suggests the infinite possibilities available in the multiverse. Stemming from a theory of parallel universes in the field of quantum mechanics, and popularized by Marvel Comics, the multiverse has transformed into a theoretical realm of epic sagas and cosmic crossroads. These new narratives are often inspired by familiar stories of deities. For the artists highlighted here, their superhuman subjects reflect the cultural hybridity that forms when navigating life in a new country while upholding connections to one’s homeland. 

With Spirits of the Mountains, the Nepalese artist Tsherin Sherpa takes inspiration from chaos theory by blending Himalayan deities with modern avatars to explore the collision of identities that displaced people face. Similarly, JooYoung Choi merges popular culture with personal history by expanding upon the concept of the multiverse from Marvel Comics, as her art chronicles a journey of self-discovery within a cosmic framework. Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, inspired in part by Japanese manga, creates dynamic, fluid figures that embody his belief that “the language of dance and performance transcends all cultural boundaries.” 

This curated selection of works is located in the North Foyer on the street level of the Law Building. 

Here, Now, and In the Multiverse/ October 30–February 9, 2025