Virgil Abloh’s “Figures of Speech”

Virgil Abloh’s recent exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago titled “Figures of Speech” is a unique and thought-provoking exhibition even to artists and art appreciators who are not familiar with the world of designer fashion and streetwear. Abloh is a designer, creative director, and artist with backgrounds in architecture and street fashion in Chicago . 

Upon stumbling upon the exhibit in a spontaneous visit to the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art I was quickly inspired by the unique and culturally-aware works of Virgil Abloh. Prior to viewing the exhibit, I had not known of Abloh and his influence is street fashion and his contributions to the designer fashion industry. The exhibit walks through Abloh’s contribution to various industries which include the fashion industry, furniture design, advertising, music, and art. 

The large exhibition spans Abloh’s 20 year career and demonstrates his ability to marry consumerism, cultural trends, and art. His success in pushing the fashion industry to recognize street fashion as a competitor to luxury design shows how he is able to engage with capitalism and consumer fashion through artistic expression and message. The exhibit also comments on the appropriation and representation of black culture and identity in media, art, and fashion. Cultural references and representation make Abloh, intentionally or unintentionally, a leader in representation in these industries. Abloh’s first exhibition is a thrilling exploration into both Abloh’s diverse creative projects and the relationship between alternative art mediums and museum curation.