The artists in Here, Now, and In the Multiverse depict heavenly bodies that exist in extraordinary realms. These celestial beings take on the forms of various deities—metamorphosed by references to complex contemporary lives—while their impossible beauty suggests the infinite possibilities available in the multiverse. Stemming from a theory of parallel universes in the field of quantum mechanics, and popularized by Marvel Comics, the multiverse has transformed into a theoretical realm of epic sagas and cosmic crossroads. These new narratives are often inspired by familiar stories of deities. For the artists highlighted here, their superhuman subjects reflect the cultural hybridity that forms when navigating life in a new country while upholding connections to one’s homeland. 

With Spirits of the Mountains, Nepalese artist Tsherin Sherpa takes inspiration from chaos theory by blending Himalayan deities with modern avatars to explore the collision of identities that displaced people face. Similarly, JooYoung Choi merges popular culture with personal history by expanding upon the concept of the multiverse from Marvel Comics, as her art chronicles a journey of self-discovery within a cosmic framework. Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, inspired in part by Japanese manga, creates dynamic, fluid figures that embody his belief that “the language of dance and performance transcends all cultural boundaries.”