Julie Mehretu

Julie Mehretu, Retopistics: A Renegade Excavation, 2001

Julie Mehretu (b. 1970) is an Ethiopian-American artist known for her dynamic, large-scale abstract paintings and prints that weave together history, geography, and the complexities of contemporary life. Her work combines architectural, cartographic, and topographic elements with gestural marks and fluid lines, creating intricate compositions that evoke a sense of movement and transformation. Mehretu’s art engages with global themes, exploring the intersections of migration, conflict, and urbanization, while also responding to the emotional and physical landscapes of our interconnected world.

Julie Mehretu, Stadia I, 2014

Among her most celebrated works are Stadia I (2004) and Mural (2010), which exemplify her ability to create immersive, layered environments that pulse with energy and depth. In Stadia I, Mehretu combines architectural plans with chaotic lines and fragmented shapes to represent the shifting nature of contemporary cities and the experiences of those who inhabit them. Similarly, Mural reflects the artist’s engagement with history, mapping it through abstract gestures that speak to the forces shaping society. Through these works, Mehretu addresses the tension between chaos and order, personal and collective histories, offering the viewer a sense of both dislocation and connection.

Julie Mehretu’s paintings elicit a powerful emotional response, often stirring feelings of complexity, fragmentation, and wonder. Her work challenges viewers to reconsider their place within the larger context of the world and to reflect on the forces of movement and change that shape our lives. Each piece invites an emotional journey through space and time, demanding both intellectual engagement and visceral reflection.

Julie Mehretu, Your Hands Are Like Two Shovels Digging Into Me (Sphinx), 2021

Mehretu lives and works in New York City, continuing to push the boundaries of abstraction and engage with the ever-changing dynamics of global and personal history. She remains one of the most significant contemporary artists, celebrated for her ability to create art that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Julie Mehretu, Everywhen, 2021