Where the Serpent Never Hisses
1.22.2026
The line “Where serpent never hisses” appears in Shakespeare’s long-form poem Venus and Adonis to evoke a place where danger never occurs, underscoring the fantasy of a potential space of pure tranquility. For Yamba-Guimbi, this imagined refuge resonates with the lived realities of diasporic communities—particularly those in Los Angeles—marked by a perpetual pull toward the promise of a better American life.
Following her previous solo exhibition, which explored the concept of cruel optimism as theorized by Lauren Berlant, this show engages further with the ambivalent pull of attraction toward the idea of full future accomplishment.
Santee Allee, July 15th 2025 & Jewelry district, July 15th 2025
2025
C-print, aluminum frame.
17.75 x 41 inches
Penny Machine
2026
Acrylic sheets, acrylic beads, chrome beads, plastic beads, lucky tokens, chocolate coins, plywood, car lights, bulbs, 12v drivers.Dimensions variable.
Tongue empty, belly full
2026
Steel, silicone sheet, latex sheet, chrome bead, plastic bead, stainless steel wire and hardware.
Dimensions variable.
Foreign (2)
2025
Acrylic sheets, lead weight, plastic bag, electronic wire, light bulbs, latex sheet.
Dimensions variable.
Chaos Magic
2025
C-print, aluminum frame.
17.25 x 33.5, 17.25 x 10.5 inches
Cicadas
2026
Acrylic sheets, mirror sheets, Arduino, electronic wire, heat sync, light bulbs, silicone sheet, cardboard, fabric.
Foreign (1)
2025
Acrylic sheets, lead weight, plastic bag, electronic wire, light bulbs, latex sheet.
Dimensions variable.
Thank you for stopping by!
Hélène Yamba-Guimbi is an artist based between Paris and California. She also writes. Her
work blends aural text, photography, and sculpture. Through installation, Hélène traces
narratives of lack, fear, desire, and fantasy that connect individuals to one another and to society.
Working with light as a primary material, Hélène employs filters, folded fabrics, and electrical
circuits as recurring motifs to explore dynamics of revelation and concealment.