After a successful second solo exhibition Motion and Emotion at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos last year, a lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Bolaji Ogunwo has returned to the exhibition hall with his third solo entitled More than meets the eye.
The exhibition, featuring his recent paintings, opened on June 20 at the International Institute for Creative Development Centre (IICD), Maitama, Abuja; and it will run till July 10.
Worried by the increasing spate of Nigerians seeking asylum in foreign lands as a result of economic hardship, Ogunwo decided to produce paintings that address related issues of emigration, corruption, banditry, kidnapping and robbery among others.
According to him, like never before, some embassies are bombarded daily by Nigerians in a bid to obtain visas, not for vacation but obviously for permanent relocation due to the lingering challenges ranging from corruption and banditry to incessant killings that permeate the nation.
“Nothing seems to be working! Nevertheless, there is more than meets the eye. There are hidden treasures underneath that are yet to manifest. All we need to succeed as a nation are not without but within. Though they may not seem visible, if we dig deeper and stay positive, sooner than expected, our desires shall come to fruition. It is only a matter of time. Places don’t make people, people make places. Only a few people dare to go places, even if the odds are not in their favour. The worst is here but the best is yet to come, hence, I go nowhere but here,” he said in a statement.
Interestingly, apart from being a messenger and a patriot, the art lecturer is a strong believer in Nigeria’s future. Little wonder his faith in Nigeria project. His realistic abstract works mirror the conditions of the Nigerian state using vibrant and lively colours in putting the issues in focus. Among the paintings are Common Ground, Swift, Process, Celebration, Exodus, The More We Look and Red Letter Day that serve as literature for study. However, the artist is not daunted as he hopes for a better tomorrow. This belief is captured in paintings such as Hope Rising, A new dawn, Abundance, Outstanding, Ecstasy, Research, Colour Code, Focus, Flashback and Exchange that communicate hope and optimism. Other works are Inner formation and Less is small,
Ogunwo who is currently a Ph.D research scholar in Delta state University Abraka, until now has participated in over 50 local and international art shows including an international solo show in Manchester, United Kingdom.
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