Saturday, 23 November 2024

Portraits of stylish African women glows in Odetomi's splendid palettes

'Ajeyemisi' (mixed media on canvas, 144x144cm, dated 2023) by Abayomi Odetomi.

 By Ola Alowoloke 

GLORIFYING the powers of African women, especially in their youthful period attracts the palette of artist, Abayomi Odetomi. He creates radiant colours embedded with engaging aesthetics that make angelic imageries of the subjects. 

Saturday, 16 November 2024

Enwonwu's Elizabeth statue, others on display as 'Building A Nation...'

(L-R), Unnamed representative of auction house, Bonhams; Chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and D-G of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway during the opening of 'Building A Nation...' 

By Yemi Olakitan 

IT was all glitz and pageantry as the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos showcased an incredible exhibition, featuring Ben Enwonwu's 1956 masterpiece bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II. The exhibition, which opened on Tuesday, November  12, 2024 also included other rare works of the late art genius.

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Ori Olokun as visual narrative of cultural duality

By Tajudeen Sowole 
'Identity' (acrylic on canvas, 53 x 85cm, dated 2023) by Oluwafemi Omoboriowo.

OVER a century after the original Ife bronze, Ori Olokun, got missing in transit – from Ile-Ife, in Nigeria to wherever – artist, Oluwafemi Omoboriowo generates mixed cultural concept from the controversial artefact. Interestingly, the U.K, which played a part in the early years of the Ife head resurfaces in Omoboriowo's concept of cultural duality, using Ori-Olokun as the point of strange convergence.

Friday, 8 November 2024

Sogal auction's 'Roots' brings diversity of traditional, modern art

'Ikenga Mask' (wood & aluminium,
H76 x W25 x D25 cm, and dated 2017) by Okezie Okafor.

AS the preview for Sogal Art Auction 2024 is currently on going, with the theme Root, showcasing indigenous contents, the event focuses on African heritage and cultural roots, that bridges tradition and modernity. 

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Connecting contemporary, future art energies with Ini Brown's brushstrokes

By Tajudeen Sowole 

'Tender Bond' (acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36inches) by Ini Brown.

ACTIVELY or passively appreciating art comes with the beauty of continuous knowledge about artists and the trajectory of the region of practice. 

Monday, 4 November 2024

Art, not science, famed medical doctor David as world record holder

Fola David, after completing the drawing at Onikan Stadium...in Lagos.

THE Guinness World Record has announced Fola David as current holder of the largest drawing. The artist, who is also a medical doctor shared his joy on social media, Monday, November 2024.

Friday, 25 October 2024

Onobrakpeya donates Dictionary of Art to Janet Stanley Resource Center

'Alphabets', one of the illustrations by Bruce Onobrakpeya, inside the book.

IN a remarkable gesture of support for art education and cultural preservation, legendary Nigerian artist and scholar, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, has donated the prestigious 34-volume Dictionary of Art published by Macmillan to the Janet Stanley Resource Center, located in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. This invaluable contribution is poised to strengthen the resources available to young people, scholars, and future generations, as they delve into the profound study of art.

Thursday, 24 October 2024

'I am Work-in-Progress'

"I am work-in-progress"...Olaku speaking to two of the guests during the opening of Odyssey: A Retrospective of Olaku's Drawings and Paintings,' at National Museum Onikan Lagos... recently.

WHAT a journey it has been, so far.

Those first cautious and tentative steps have quickened and matured in direction and unambiguous intention since they were initiated about forty-eight (48) years ago.

Thursday, 17 October 2024

For rare art, Signature Beyond converges Ekwere, Raheem, Olarenwaju

'Kiss the Bride' (stained Apa wood, H86 x W26 x D35cm, dated 2024) by Alli Raheem.


WHEN Ebong Ekwere, Alli Raheem and Adeniyi Olarenwaju opens their exhibition titled after the names of the artists, from October 19-26, 2024, at Signature Beyond Art Gallery, 107, Awolowo Road Ikoyi Lagos. Kiss The Bride
Stained Apa Wood
H 86 X W26 X D35CM
2024

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

ART X Lagos returns highlighting culture, community

'Kaper Jesse Legacy' (print on canvas, 90x90cm, dated 2024) by Fred Ebami.

WITH galleries such as Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Alexis Gallery (Nigeria), Galerie MAM (Cameroon), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Affinity Art Gallery (Nigeria), Kanbi Projects (UK), kó (Nigeria), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), ODA Art Gallery (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK), West Africa’s leading international art fair, ART X Lagos, returns for its highly anticipated ninth edition. Holding  from October 31 to November 3, 2024, ths year, the fair will continue its commitment to highlighting African art, culture, and community, while fostering critical conversations on the social and political transformations shaping the continent. 

Friday, 11 October 2024

How 'self-reflection' inspired Olusola's 'First Insight'

'Our Daily Bread - series' (watercolour, 56in X 73in, dated 2024) by Oluwamuyiwa Olusola.

AFTER experimenting with quite a number of medium without satisfaction, Olumuyiwa Afolabi Olusola fell in love with watercolour. Despite its slippery nature, watercolour, according to the artist, offered the delicate balance between control and freedom. 

Thursday, 10 October 2024

Friday, 4 October 2024

Sculptors’ association converges for Elixir 3 exhibition

'Passion of Rage' (mixed media, 28" x 8" x 12", dated 2024 ) by Henry Unuigboje.

PROF Nelson Edewor, Dr Olusola Kukoyi. Dr Kunle Adeyemi, Dr  Adeola Balogun. Dr Ken Njoku, Dr Taiwo Sullyman, Akeem Muraina. Ato Arinze. Anthonia Okogwu, Kenny Badaru and Obadan Chris are artists who share something in common as regards sculpture.