The exhibition Rejection: When No Said Yes begins with a simple question: What makes “no” so intimidating? In some works, the response is straightforward: “It isn’t intimidating; it is simply a ‘no.” In others, the answer shifts: “I’m intimidating the ‘no.” Sometimes, there is no reply at all. The exhibition explores the duality of rejection and acceptance, while examining the liminal space between them.
As Rumi said, “Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there is a garden; / will meet you there.” In this space, we might argue that embracing the limiting or intimidating nature of rejection can, in fact, be liberating. But what shapes this perspective? As Descartes reminds us, “I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am.” This is a journey of doubt and being, where ideas are only truly understood in the context of their opposites.
Here, we explore how each artist’s doubts manifest-how they’ve rejected conventional thoughts, defied self-imposed fears, or questioned dominant Western narratives. Ultimately, we ask: Can more rejection lead to greater freedom? The works in this exhibition invite us to confront the shadow of rejection, not with fear, but with acceptance.
Yet, while we may present this interpretation, the true question remains: What do you think? What do you feel?
Noor Albar
Sejal Dalvi
Marjolaine Delsupexhe Cesarini
Artists
Mengyuan Tong
Bissy Riva
Viola Bozzo
Tabitha Wilson
Nelson Hernández
Zina Karaman
Yilina Yang
Hyunah Koh
Talullah Hutson
Lala Drona
Po-Yun Kuo
Junghun Lee
Felipe Pineda
Maliha Abidi
Tom Evans
