A selection of five contemporary artists are making a significant impact in the art world through new exhibitions and unique creative practices. These artists, including Bunmi Agusto, Gregory Hodge, Joya Mukerjee Logue, Shu Hua Xiong, and Leon Xu, are being recognized for their distinct approaches to painting, drawing, and mixed media, with solo shows currently on view in major art hubs like London, Brussels, and New York.
Key Takeaways
- Bunmi Agusto explores West African folklore in her solo exhibition "Tales By Moonlight" at Tiwani Contemporary in London.
- Gregory Hodge presents a new series of textile-inspired paintings in "Echo" at Nino Mier Gallery in Brussels.
- Joya Mukerjee Logue's work, which merges Midwestern and South Asian experiences, was recently featured at Untitled Art, Houston.
- Shu Hua Xiong, a former designer at Google, showcases ethereal still lifes in her debut New York show at island gallery.
- Leon Xu captures dreamlike nocturnal scenes inspired by cinema in his exhibition "𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝑔𝓁𝑜𝓌" at Mai 36 Galerie in Zurich.
Bunmi Agusto: Crafting Mythical Worlds
Bunmi Agusto creates surreal compositions that blend fantasy with elements of West African folklore. Her work is centered around a fictional universe she calls "Within," where her alter ego serves as the main character. This world-building practice is central to her artistic identity.
Her latest solo exhibition, "Tales By Moonlight," is currently on view at Tiwani Contemporary in London until November 1st. The show features a new body of work that includes drawings, paintings, prints, and moving images, all expanding upon the narrative of "Within."
Symbolism and Technique
A featured piece, Dyeing the Sky (2025), illustrates Agusto's method of weaving oral traditions into her art. In the painting, spirits are depicted coloring the sky with deep indigo, a nod to traditional Nigerian dyeing techniques. Cowrie shells, once a pan-regional currency in West Africa, are transformed into stars, symbolizing divinity, fertility, and wealth.
Agusto's academic background is extensive, holding a BFA from Central Saint Martins, an MA from SOAS University of London, and an MFA from the Ruskin School of Art at the University of Oxford. She is also set to exhibit at Frieze London with both Tiwani Contemporary and a solo presentation with TAFETA.
Gregory Hodge: From Abstraction to Woven Realities
Australian artist Gregory Hodge has transitioned from bold, abstract brushwork to more subdued, contemplative scenes. His recent paintings depict subjects like tree-lined lakeshores and quiet home libraries, but with a unique visual treatment that makes them appear blurred or crumpled.
This effect is achieved through a specialized technique where Hodge drags layers of acrylic paint across linen surfaces using combs and custom-made tools. The result is an illusion of woven textiles, a fascination that developed during his residencies in Paris where he studied French weaving traditions.
"Hodge’s fascination with fibers developed during two residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, where he studied French weaving traditions as a way to rethink painterly gestures."
His new works are the focus of a solo show titled "Echo" at Nino Mier Gallery in Brussels, which runs through October 17th. Following this, Nino Mier will present another solo exhibition for Hodge in New York next year. He holds a PhD in fine arts from the Australian National University.
Joya Mukerjee Logue: A Visual Diary of Hybrid Identity
Joya Mukerjee Logue uses her paintings as a form of visual diary, documenting scenes that reflect her dual heritage. Raised in an Indian American family in Ohio, she combines experiences of Midwestern domestic life with South Asian cultural memories. Her portraits function as both personal records and broader collective narratives.
Her work recently gained attention at the Untitled Art fair in Houston, where a selection of her paintings was presented by Rajiv Menon Contemporary. These pieces often feature figures in dimly lit settings, conveying a sense of quiet intensity.
Narrative Through Composition
In works like Tala’s Roses (2025), a woman's worried expression is amplified by the way she clutches a bouquet. Another piece, Storytellers (2024), shows women gathered in a circle, suggesting the intimacy of sharing ghost stories. Her use of soft brushwork and earthy color palettes creates an inviting atmosphere.
Logue is an alumna of Saint Mary’s College in Indiana and has exhibited her work internationally at venues including High Line Nine Gallery in New York and Cromwell Place in London.
Shu Hua Xiong: The Spirituality of Simple Objects
Inspired by the Taoist principle of harmony between humanity and nature, Shu Hua Xiong creates ethereal paintings of simple, natural objects. Before becoming a full-time painter, Xiong had a successful career as a brand designer at Google and an illustrator with commissions from The New York Times and Tiffany & Co.
Her signature style, characterized by a calming pastel palette and an airbrushed quality, is now applied to fine art. Her debut New York show, on view at island gallery until October 11th, features subjects such as a rain-drenched leaf, a pale egg, and a nautilus shell. These objects are depicted with a reverence reminiscent of Renaissance still lifes.
Works like Hilma (2025) show traces of her illustration background, with an effervescent blue canvas that subtly suggests angel wings. Xiong holds both a BFA and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Leon Xu: Nocturnal Impressions and Fleeting Moments
Leon Xu’s recent paintings evoke the dreamlike quality of nocturnal city life. His work captures blurred city lights, fragmented neon signs, and the feeling of half-remembered encounters. These pieces are part of his second solo show with Mai 36 Galerie in Zurich, titled "𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝑔𝓁𝑜𝓌," which runs through November 1st.
For this series, Xu drew inspiration from Martin Scorsese's 1985 film After Hours. He reinterprets images from the movie, which follows a character through a series of bizarre nighttime events in New York. Xu’s paintings share a similar sense of disorientation and emotional intensity.
A key piece, Back to my fantasy (2025), shows a luminous sign for "amusements" glowing through a murky window. The title hints at the tension between reality and memory, a recurring theme in his work. Xu earned his BFA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2019 and has previously shown his work in New York, Shanghai, and Seoul.