Discover the Empathic Universe: The First-Ever Retrospective of Saya Woolfalk’s World-Building Art
“Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe” is the first major retrospective celebrating two decades of innovative, immersive, and narrative-driven work by acclaimed multimedia artist Saya Woolfalk. Known for her groundbreaking installation art and Afrofuturist storytelling, Woolfalk creates a richly imagined universe populated by a fictional race of hybrid beings known as the Empathics—a tribe of women embodying transformation, empathy, and cultural fusion.
A Visual Language of Empathy and Identity
Through vibrant garment-based sculptures, digital video installations, paintings, works on paper, and performance art, Woolfalk crafts a unique mythos. The Empathics are not just imaginary—they are symbolic carriers of multiculturalism, shaped by the artist’s deep research and personal connections to African, African American, Japanese, Brazilian, and European traditions in craft, folklore, and spiritual practice.
Each piece in Empathic Universe tells a part of a larger parable where cultures collide, merge, and evolve. Woolfalk’s art explores feminist identity, diasporic memory, and post-colonial transformation, inviting viewers to question and reimagine the boundaries of race, gender, and belonging.
This show is a must-see cultural event for art lovers in New York and beyond, especially those interested in Afrofuturism, contemporary art by women, and the global future of visual storytelling.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Empathic Universe
. Experience immersive world-building through multisensory installations.
. Witness a unique blend of global folklore and futuristic vision.
. Engage with interactive performances and experimental video art.
. Discover intricate costume sculptures that reimagine the human body.
. Participate in conversations about identity, migration, and empathy in a changing world.
Plan Your Visit
. Venue: New York. Museum of Arts and Design
. Dates: Through September 7, 2025
