Resounding Echoes of Adeyemi’s paintographs, paintocasts

More than 50 works of art of contemporary visual artist and lecturer, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, are up for display at his upcoming show tagged, Resounding Echoes: Memories, Retrospect and Vision. The 13-day show, running from September 8 to 19, opens with a private viewing on September 7 at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos.

With over 26 solo shows and more than 120 group shows, locally and internationally, Adeyemi is known for his unique style of art, which focuses on the synthesis of printmaking and painting techniques. He termed these techniques in his approach to visual artistry as Paintographs and Paintocasts.

Adeyemi’s latest exhibition comes barely a week after his retirement from Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), where he was Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, head of curatorial partner organisation for the exhibition, Irachy Consult Curatorial, described the solo exhibition as a celebration of Adeyemi’s singular vision, where each work stands as a testament to the show’s primary theme.

She said: “This exhibition explores the tension between tradition and innovation, capturing the pulse of our modern world through the diverse mediums of contemporary art.

“Each piece challenges the viewer to question societal norms and envision a future where art becomes a dialogue, a catalyst for change. “Through bold experimentation and a distinct aesthetic, the artist invites us into a world that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.”

The complex energy inherent in community life is reflected in some of the works. The collection of which includes some contemporary mixed media works, paintings and prints reflect mythical and poetical scenes capturing the country’s rich biodiversity.

According to Adeyemi, deeply embedded is a bridge to interrogating the wealth of African proverbs, symbols and inherent cultural structures further appreciated in the timelessness of creative art.

His thematic renditions can be categorised into four classifications. These are: (a): Naturalistic cum semi-abstraction where religious, mythological, historical, literary and everyday life is expressed. (b) Abstract expressionism with much of visual impact than storytelling: (c) The third is the Iconic cum expressiveness which displays distorted prompt imageries and colour; (d) while the fourth category is geared to create subtle poetry specifically for contemporary enlightenment rather than relating them to meanings.

“My subject matter, composition, forms, colors and context are derived from the immediate environment of the Yoruba. Most of my themes and titles reflect indigenous African concepts, and modern ideas expressed in modern contemporary language.

“My explorations In Paintograph and Paintocast brought about innovations into art practices and art vocabularies, which is a significant development and contribution to Nigerian contemporary painting and printmaking.

“Paintocasts is a synergy forming the synthesis of painting and printmaking traditions, a combination of the required technique, skills, methods and materials from the two artistic genres.

Former Rector of Yabatech, Obafemi Omokungbe, who described Adeyemi as a colleague and friend, said during his five years as Rector of the institution, his love for the arts was evident enough in his deep association with the arts faculty to the extent that people thought him an artist.

Although he is not an artist himself, he, however, draws inspiration from the artistic society and influences from enthusiasts including the likes of Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, who is arguably the largest art collector in the country.

His painting idea takes off from sketches, studies and composition through a technical stage of printmaking and painting to the first final product of Paintograph. It can progress further through metal foil or cast reproduction to form the ground for a sculptural art called Paintocast.