A-ARTs: '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.

"What was the motivation then?" I dare to ask now. Was it mere intuition or providence? What was the impetus for a seventeen (17) year-old to select to study art as a next level of knowledge acquisition, in the pursuit of a career, when counseling was unavailable then?

Whatever it was, it gently and slowly guided me towards a most-fulfilling destiny, that even while still unfolding has already left in its wake indelible prints of incredible accomplishments, blessings, multi-dimensional victories, and lots more.

Of course, with the benefit of critical hindsight, I believe that this must be the famed Divine and mysterious 'Hand of God' - That, and nothing else.

Volumes of water have passed under the bridge, and as I advanced across the different terrains of development and consciousness, my essential objective as an artist became more defined and directional - To build a timeless legacy that gets a respectable mention in the annals of global art history ultimately.

That desire continues to propel me forward. It is my irreducible elixir that empowers me to march towards the distant horizon of 'the unknown', with such brazen faith and child-like temerity.

After all, didn't the late South African Sage and legendary humanist and freedom-fighter, Nelson Mandela, philosophize that "It always looks impossible, until it is done."?

With forty-three (43) years of certified experience under my belt, I can authoritatively observe that since I joined, the art scene, (both at home and abroad), has experienced a monumental transformation at every level and space of active stakeholdership, from the preparatory grounds, i.e.: the schools, through the brokerage of dealers, galleries, curators and critics to the individual and corporate consumers and aficionados. The average temperament is now acutely 'contemporary', with enough intellectual rationalization, postulation and justification to set aside all that had hitherto been logical, reasonable, and rational, in the name of this chaotic new-age movement known as 'Contemporary Art'.

Anyway, life is about choices. The choices we make at different stages of our lives as humans, as we enter the stage of awareness, are investments of sorts, which are expected to yield returns and dividends in our future. Sometimes, the returns might not yield positively or profitably, while at other times they are beautiful and bountiful.

I made my choices quite early enough about the philosophical direction I wished to operate through and excel in, and what I wanted out of my passionate foray into the business of Art.

Therefore, I boldly await my returns on my artistic investment with my 'full chest', believing that Elohim has got my back.

As ODYSSEY opens the door to new vistas for me, I remain in awe of my Almighty Creator for truly creating me in His image. I joyfully thank my wonderful family for their uncommon and nourishing love, as well as my colleagues and friends, my patrons, and all other well-wishers for their inestimable support. From the bottom of my heart, I love and appreciate you.

Know that your unconditional love, ceaseless encouragement, and immense faith in my vision built this brand.

God bless you all, and welcome to ODYSSEY!

-Abiodun Olaku's Artist Statement for his solo exhibition titled 'Odyssey: A Retrospective of Olaku's Drawings and Paintings', organised by Red Heritage. The exhibition opened on October 19, ending November 3, 2024 at National Museum Onikan Lagos.

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