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Beautiful: The exposition show opens today

By Ransome Mgbeahuru
13 October 2019   |   1:56 am
The Exposition, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Chidynma Ochu and Ronke Komolafe will open today at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

Beautiful: The Exposition, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Chidynma Ochu and Ronke Komolafe will open today at the Freedom Park, Lagos. The show will be on till October 20, 2019. It will run concurrently with this year’s Felabration Festival.

According to the organisers, it keys into this year’s theme of Felabration — ‘From Lagos With Love’ and; situates the participants among those whose practices have been influenced by the colours and textures of the state.

This project is a two-part presentation that comprises: An art exhibition, a documentary — Eye of An Artist — that presents interviews with a number of artists across Lagos State and a display of select works of art from private collections, and a book presentation (Beyond Aesthetics: Use, Abuse And Dissonance In African Art Traditions) by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, an enduring art collector.

“The project brings to bear elements that shape or have shaped the artist’s definition of beauty, ranging from aesthetic compositions to experiential leanings and process, all of which have been succinctly presented through their works, their words and collector’s intervention,” said the organisers.

It is part of a curatorial resolution to shed more light on the artist’s will and at the same time, seeks to ‘repair’ the statement that “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” to encompass the role of the artist; thus, becoming “beauty lies in the hands of the creator”, who is the artist in this case.

“The show is a display of paintings and drawings by Ochu and Komolafe; and a documentary presenting a compilation of interviews with 19 artists with diverse training, orientation and duration of practice — spanning two years to five decades. The exhibition features a special section on works from select private collections,” said Kennii Ekundayo, who curates this project.

Artists interviewed in the documentary are Chief (Mrs.) Nike Monica Okundaye, Professor Peju Layiwola, Muraina Akeem, Ayoola Mudasiru, Ayoola Omovo, Ibe Ananaba, Oliver Enwonwu, Sadiq Williams, Iyunola, Godwin Samuel, Raji Babatunde, Ugonma Chibuzo, Adekile Mayowa, Yusuff Aina Abogunde, Emmanuel Odumade, Abinoro Akporode Collins, Adeojo Oluwaseun and Sylvester Aguddah.

The featured collections include that of Professor Wole Soyinka, Mr. Alexander Nwude and Mr. Ifeanyi Orakwue.Ekundayo has an extensive background in the arts that spreads across creative writing, dance, drama and languages. She began her professional practice in March 2017 and has worked with the likes of Verdant Zeal Group, Freedom Park, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ken Nwadiogbu, Arinze Stanley, Helen Gebregiorgis, Sylvester Aguddah, Raji Bamidele amongst several others. Her practice also encompasses art(ist) advisory and management to artists, collectors and cultural initiatives. She runs her curatorial outfit, Odumije and is also the Communications Officer for the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) and the Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF).

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