A-ARTs: 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.

Odetomi's perspective about women of strong and independent minds explains the African identity of the female gender as a factor in development, across domestic and communal works. As an artis known for his bright application of colours, his textures of realism find great companionship in the colourful characteristics of African women's choice of fabrics as depicted in most of his subjects.

With the growing trend of darkened skin of figurative paintings on the African art landscape, Odetomi brings his signature of bold style and technique. The artist's style emboldens the aesthetics of the subject's environment, bringing a rich scenery into every painting to tell complete For examples, in pieces like The African Queen, Aiyeyemisi, A Symphony of Love, Angel of Love, The black Empress, Lunar Luminescence, and Luminous Peace, Odetomi shows that art is more than aesthetics. He tells stories of personal and communally strength of African women.

Speaking on one of the paintings titled The African Queen, he explained that the painting represents the connection between the woman and the peacock, depicting grace and nobility shared among human pets. "The peacock, often associated with beauty and pride, enhances the regal presence of the figure, suggesting a celebration of African heritage and femininity. This relationship highlights the importance of cultural identity and the strength found in embracing one's roots."

Odetomi's Artist Statement notes that his works celebrate the beauty of Africa, its people and their connections with the splendour of nature. This much he expressed in another piece titled Angel of Love, which embodies the ethereal and transformative power of love through its depiction of a celestial figure radiating warmth and compassion. More of interest is the depiction of the angel's gentle expression and outstretched arms, inviting viewers to embrace love in all its forms, that symbolizes protection and guidance. Odetomi explained that the painting "serves as a poignant reminder that love is a divine force that uplifts and inspires, encouraging us to connect with one another on a deeper level."

With compositions of stylish women in trendy fashion, his subjects are depicted in closeness with exotic animals, plants and flowers. The results are art pieces that elevate and inspire percipients to reflect upon life as a chain of elements with deep connections. He often paint women in their youth, which is the artist's vision of strong and independent African women, whom he imbues with sentimental adoration for the enhancement of their African identity.

Odetomi studied painting in Yaba college of Technology (Yabatech), in Lagos and graduated in 2016. His style and technique in painting have been forged and nuanced by a range of personal experiences. The depictions of melanated people seek to preach the links existing between the mother continent of Africa and its global diaspora. Through his gestural brush works, Odetomi’s work elicits joy, grace and emotional responses that could be perceived from the grace of the figures in his works. This informs his belief that celebrating one's culture and identity will lead to the remodelling of imaginations, thereby allowing people to realise the importance of not abdicating their identities.

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