By Tajudeen Sowole
APART from sharing the
commonality of being diaspora artists, Wura-Natasha Ogunji and Raoul Olawale Da
Silva have other factors that connect their art. Period, places and multiculturalism
from which each artist derive ventilation bring them into sharing individual’s
perspective of ‘Time’ in a single space at home.
From Untitled paintings of Raoul Olawale Da Silva |
Curated by Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, with
sponsorship from Swiss International Bank, UBS, and luxury house, Moet
Hennessey, the exhibition adds to the strength of the contemporary art space of
Lagos. Interestingly, the curatorial approach to the exhibition narrates the
evolving two sides of Lagos art, curiously, from diaspora artists. In each of
the artists’ works, a Nigerian art space that is split between traditional
method such as painting on canvas and non-regular material/process is
adequately represented. Ogunji’s expression via mixed media of graphite pastel
on trace paper generates element of design and contemporary shift in visual
expression. And when Da Silva sticks to painting on canvas, his strokes strike
a chord in bridging the gap between modern and contemporary divides of art
appropriation.
With a graphic rendition in a six-piece that
analogises the rays of sun in relation to the human strength, Ogunji simplifies
visual narration, sharing her views about individual’s responsibility to better
the world. And sometimes, her hand-stitched imaging on trace papers generates
an illusion of dimensionality, as suggests in ‘Field Theory.’ In fact, the work
offers technical views into Perspective Art, displaying three images of great
depths.
When Da Sila showed Inner Worlds Outer Space,
his first major solo in Lagos in 2013, abstraction in unpretentious and bold
tone was seen on the city’s art landscape. About four years after, the artist,
who is a skateboarding enthusiast, is back with a stronger energy in his form
of art that is, apparently, not populist. Da Silva stretches one’s sense of
appreciation and imagination further by having all his works Untitled. Like
most artists, whose choice of abstraction puts your sense of interpretation to
tests, Da Silva insists, his work allows people freedom to express what they
see in diverse ways. “Untitling my works expand the concept within me,” he
explains to select guests at Temple Muse. “I am appreciative of people’s
interpretation of my work.”
Catch Yout Breath, by Wura-Natasha Ogunji |
From his surfing and skateboarding passion
comes 10 discarded skateboards as installation. He explains why the skateboards
have been “repurposed” and implored with “form, shape and surface for painting,
drawing, collage assemblage, installation and performance.”
Every artist, who wither naturally or
consciously is caught in the web of spontaneous release usually traces such
artistic behaviourial pattern to certain influence. For Da Silva, it appears
like the energy in his passion for surfing and rendition on canvas shares the
spontaneity connection. However, with ancient motifs or signs and symbols, the
artist actualises a concept of Time, which either compresses or stretches
perception.
In her curatorial note, Obiago explains that
the exhibition tells the artists’ stories “from the outside looking in: two
creative souls exploring, seeking, sometimes even battling, to come to terms
with cultural anomalies and political incongruity.”
CEO of Temple Muse, Avinash Wadhwani,
describes the artists as “two phenomenal artists whose breadth of experience
and unique perspective is refreshing and avant-garde.”
Da Silva (b. 1969) is a skate-and
snow-boarder, surfer and environmental activist. He graduated from the
University of Applied Arts in Luzern, Switzerland in 1998, and has worked as a
full time studio artist ever since.
Da Silva has taken part in exhibitions in
Switzerland and Nigeria and is described as “an artist with a deep history and
multi-layered perspective.”
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