JANUS

July 18 - August 16, 2025

Featuring: Layo Bright, Jonathan Edelhuber, Henrik Godsk, Kimia Ferdowsi Kline, Dan Mandelbaum, Dana Robinson, Joseph Olisaemako Wilson, and Joji Yakamura.

At a time of division, we present a group show named for the Roman god, Janus, who is traditionally represented by two heads for his ability to see both the past and the future. We’ve invited the following eight artists who privilege the figure and specifically the human head to contribute two faces to this exhibition, echoing the ancient god of change. Some are those we have previously worked with, while others are among the most exciting artists we’ve encountered in the past year in the international art world. Contact us for a full list of works.


JANUS: According to myth he was the god of ending, the first to mint coins, the god of change, the timekeeper, the gatekeeper, and patron of civil and social order. He is the opener; he is the closer. He is said to have hoisted humanity from its bestial, backward condition, hence the two faces, implying that he brought human life out of darkness into light. He is January. Plutarch said he was Greek. His cult was spread by sailors; and while he was often labeled a demon, he was associated with the spirituality of trees. His temple was dedicated in August, some consider him a mirror of June. Others said he was the god of gods. Look hard enough and Janus becomes half of whatever we seek, indicative of our own, individual bifurcation, and reflective of contemporary society’s divisive nature. - Scott Zieher

Current “Critic's Pick” in The Nashville Scene. Laura Hutson Hunter writes “During times of division, it can be helpful to consider all options. That’s the idea behind Janus, a stellar group show at ZieherSmith’s new gallery space in the Edgehill neighborhood. Each of the eight exhibiting artists has contributed two faces to the exhibition, and within those parameters they showcase an incredible range and perspective. Nashville-based artist Kimia Ferdowsi Kline’s ink-and-oil-pastel-on-papyrus work “A Kinder Sea” seems simultaneously ancient and timeless — the perfect example of Janus’ ability to see both the past and the future. There are no misses here and quite a few opportunities for discovery. Japanese artist Joji Nakamura is making singular figurative works by using his fingers to apply paint directly onto the canvas, and Danish artist Henrik Godsk — whose figures recall Picasso and Patrick Nagel in equal parts — comes from one of Scandinavia’s largest traveling carnival families.”

Henrik Godsk - b. 1975, Hjørring, Denmark.

Henrik Godsk’s practice reflects his Norwegian heritage, mixing folkloric and fine art. Raised in one of Scandinavia’s largest traveling carnival families, his early years were spent painting fairground scenes, a heavy influence in his practice. Godsk currently lives and works in Denmark and has exhibited internationally, with recent solo shows at Ruttkowski 68, New York, Aishonanzuka, Tokyo, Piermarq, Sydney, and  Vigo Gallery, London. He holds an MA in Arts and Literature from Aalborg University.                                   

Layo Bright - b. 1991, Lagos, Nigeria.

Layo Bright is a mixed media artist, using glass, wood textiles and other materials to explore concepts such as migration, identity, place and legacy. Currently living and working in Brooklyn, New York, Bright obtained her MFA from Parsons School of Design. Bright is the 2025 artist in residence at the Corning Museum of Glass and the 2025 UrbanGlass Gala Artist Honoree. She has recently held solo exhibitions at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, Halsey McKay Gallery, New York, Montclair State University Galleries, and Monique Meloche, Chicago. Recent group shows include at the Ford Foundation Gallery, New York, De Boer, Antwerp, and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids.

Jonathan Edelhuber - b. 1984 Arkansas.

 ZieherSmith has worked with Tennessee based painter and sculptor Jonathan Edelhuber since 2020. The Arkansas native received his BFA from Harding University and has exhibited his work internationally. He now lives and works in Clarksville, Tennessee. Edelhuber has exhibited worldwide, with solo shows in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Tel Aviv. 

Kimia Ferdowsi Kline - b. 1984 Nashville, Tennessee. 

Kimia Ferdowsi Kline is an active artist, professor and freelance curator, currently living and working in Nashville. Her painting draws from her heritage and identity in connection to Iran. IKimia Ferdowsi Kline earned an M.F.A. at the San Francisco Art Institute and holds a B.F.A. in painting from Washington University in St. Louis, where she was awarded a full-tuition Danforth Scholarship. She has mounted solo exhibitions at Tinney Contemporary, Nashville, Turn Gallery New York, Marrow Gallery San Francisco, The Elaine L. Jacobs Gallery at Wayne State University, Detroit, and 68 Projects, Berlin. Group shows include Ceysson & Bénétière, The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, CANADA Gallery, Vanderbilt University, and The Drawing Center. In 2026, she will be featured in a group-show at the Frist Museum of Art. 

Dan Mandelbaum – b. 1994, New Jersey.

 Currently residing in Memphis, Tennessee, Dan Mandelbaum spent two years in Majorca, Spain mastering stone cutting after years working with ceramics in Ridgewood, Queens and exhibiting at Marvin Gardens. Referencing contemporary cartoon aesthetics and ancient religious reliquary decorations with equal parts reverence and quasi-mystical levity. His next solo exhibition will be this fall with ZieherSmith.

Joji Nakamura - b. 1974, Japan.

Joji Nakamura is an active artist, magazine editor and exhibition curator. He is is known for his distinctive painting technique, using his fingers to apply acrylic, gesso, graphite, and ink directly onto canvas. Nakamura has exhibited widely across Japan, France, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and Spain, taking part in major group exhibitions and experimental performances, as well as his recent solo show at The Fridge, New York. Joji currently lives and works in Yokohama City, Japan. 

Dana Robinson - B. 1990, Brooklyn, New York.

Dana Robinson is a multimedia artist currently living and working in Brooklyn, New York. Robinson uses vintage materials, paints, fabrics and various other materials to create her stylistic work. She is particularly inspired by 70’s Ebony magazines and often uses them as source material. Robinson aims to address black female identity, ownership and nostalgia. Recent solo exhibitions include at Ivester Contemporary, in Austin, Kates-Ferri Project New York, Turley Gallery, Hudson, and various group shows, most recently “Black Excellence” at the Yankee Stadium in New York. She holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, in New York. 

Joseph Olisaemako Wilson - b. 1999 L.A, California.  

Joseph Olisaemako Wilson creates vibrant and lively characters that often delve into the world of polymorphism. His work calls to mind themes of colonialism, archeology and futurism in an imaginative context. Wilson is currently living and working in Brooklyn, New York, and recent solo exhibitions include at the Derek Eller Gallery, New York, Vielmetter, Los Angeles , and Taiwan Contemporary, Lagos.