In Sweden, Balogun goes 'Matter Redirected'

Two weeks ago, Adeola Balogun, a sculptor artist, and a Senior lecturer in Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, left the shores of this country for two months residency programme in Sweden. This is being funded by Quintessence gallery in Lagos, Astley Gallery, Uttersberg, Sweden and the Nigerian Embassy in Stockholm Sweden. This exposure has become necessary to open up this prolific artist to research and new techniques in his field of study.

 

Meta artist, Adeola Balogun, preparing for Matter Redirected, in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Adeola  started exhibiting works since 1991 and has more than 22 years experience which he brings to bear in this project that also offers him the opportunity to lecture in near by Universities and colleges with the support of Gunnar Ternstedt, an engineer who has offered his farm house and tools  for the first one month.

 

Adeola will also be showing an exhibition of his works first in Trollhattan, on 10^th of June and then at Astley Gallery in Uttersberg at the end of his programme.

The first exhibition he titled Matter Redirected will showcase 20 sculptural pieces and drawings using horse shoes and farm implements. Horse shoe is a fabricate product used to protect a horse hoof from tear and they are made available in a variety of styles and materials. It is interesting to know that horseshoe is kept as a talisman in some parts of the world because it is said to bring good luck depending on how you hang it. If the ends are facing upwards then you got it right. It will collect and keep all the luck you desire. The farm implements includes the planter, seed drill, fertilizer spread, spike, cultivator and cultipacker, weight sorter and other impliments. Adeola is redirecting all these matters that are no long in use into witty, compositions and visible art pieces.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Responding to what inspires him, Adeola said, before an artist would attempt to represent perceived objects or scenes either on a flat surface or on a three dimensional format, he or she must first be moved by it. This assertion was aptly stated by Harold Speed thus: “It is not enough in artistic drawing to portray accurately and in cold blood the appearance of objects. To express form one must first be moved by it.”  He feels really welcomed in Sweden and is greatly moved by what he has seen.

Adeola intends to use his works  as a moving testament of the creative skill of the Nigerian artist and to promote our culture and capabilities. His works will no doubt generates a lot of discourses in faraway Sweden.

Adeola will also be participating in workshops organized by Anders Nyhlen the curator of Astley Gallery in Uttersberg.  Anders gave Kunle Adeyemi, a renowned artist known for his paintograph and paintocast technique, a similar experience during his residency three years ago.

Adeola had the opportunity of meeting with the Nigerian Ambassador to the Scandinavian countries in Stockholm. Ambassador Benedict Onochie Amobi is an amiable fellow who has shown remarkable  love and support for Nigerian Art. He will be Adeola’s special guest at the opening of his exhibitions.

The art community wishes Adeola a fulfilling time as we all realize that his work is grounded in real values and experience.

 Moses Ohiomokhare