Soto Gallery debuts with crack

Described as a reflection of histories and an intersection of converging paths, Soto Gallery, Lagos, last Saturday, September 24, threw its gates open for an inaugural show, titled, Crack.
The show ends October 11.

Founder of the gallery, Tola Akerele, said the show signifies the end and beginning of iDesign art into other forms. The gallery will act as a conduit to further promote emerging and established African artists.

The space aims to examine new and improved ways of converging design, art and installation.

“We have created a space that will allow us establish and grow our iDesign art platform. I’m excited by the opportunity to nurture young artists and encourage art appreciation of the remarkable talent we have here.

“We chose a couple of artists, especially those that passed through iDesign art and we did this, because we feel they have originality and would be able to speak into the theme, which is a transitioning for us to a smaller group of artists.”

The show will usher in a series of experiences at Soto Gallery, where African art will be reflective of ideas from a renewed standpoint, enjoyed in many varied forms. Soto seeks to explore new ways to engage artists in answer to age-old questions. This belief can be traced down to the word itself, Soto, which connotes mindfulness, a key approach for appreciating art holistically.

The opening show features eight exhibiting artists curated by Arin Olowoporoku a curator, cultural producer and creative director. She went on to say that the exhibition expands on the idea of coming full circle, the end of a time that leads to the start of a new period.

“The artists are invited to investigate their immediate state of being and its resultant effect on the collective. As to what influenced the artists’ selection, we were looking out for artists who seek to inspire not only with technique, but also by the themes they explore. We want to share original stories that bring profound impact to the viewer.”

The debut show will feature works by Chief Muraina Oyelami, Victor Ekwu, Mary Funmilola Onidare, Bertha Onyinyechi Onyekachi, Sor Sen, Laju Sholola, Johnson Uwadimma and Uche Uzorka.