Aize Paul intersects art and tech with ‘Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between’ exhibition

The Nigerian art scene has improved tremendously in recent years, and although opportunities are sparse for emerging creatives and talents, artists are driven to tow the independent route of creating avenues to platform themselves, especially with the proliferation of social media.

African Artist, Aize Paul Muhammed, is part of a new guard of Nigerian artists staking a claim in its bourgeoning creative ecosystem which is gradually embracing global acclaim. Evident in his artistic expressions is a deep desire for conceptualizing life and breaking stereotypical perceptions of man and self in society.

In November, Aize Paul debuted his second solo photography exhibition titled ‘Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between’ to an exclusive viewing attended by industry players, and the Art & Tech community. The pre-show exhibition which is ahead of its 2022 debut was a fusion of art and VR Technology.

The multi-day exhibition, powered by RA Management NYC, which held from 29th October – 6th November 2021, at Victoria Island, Lagos, featured uniquely curated activities ranging from a private viewing, general viewing and a bar pop-up. For Aize, “The pre-show for me is exhibiting means to connect by creating a space solely for a spiritual, Tech and Art experience. I want everyone fortunate to be present at the pre-show to leave with the notion of SELF”.

“The title ‘Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between’ was born from a conversation with my mum (foster), who is a poet and we often discuss poetry and literature basically. I must say my first title ” frozen choices scared space ” was also sourced from her”.

‘Flares of enthusiasm, dash between’ begins as an introspection with the self, and furthers into a journey before birth and how our expectations, dreams, hopes, all become, it conceptualizes capturing life from before till the end.

The exhibition represents the uninhibitedness of your soul prior to birth. Clueless, as you drift fragile in forms of the most liberated versions of yourself you will ever witness; just as you precede your unrequested entry into a life-form. The dashing hopes, dreams, and ideal possibilities of 280 days before you get to be introduced to the dash.

As your story segues into a whole identity embodied in this life form. the dash between is you, here, right now. Your life – awareness of it, questions from it, expectations of it. Your hopes, dreams, aspirations, youthfulness, definitive moments, saddest moments, life purpose and your innate fear of the inevitable – death.

Having successfully debuted his first solo photography exhibition called “Frozen choices, Sacred Space” in 2020, Aize describes his journey thus far “I shot my first series during the lockdown and it’s been a glide ever since. Although I already experimented with fashion photography but capturing humans for humanity is certainly one of my life purposes, and having art pioneers such as Nicholas Logsdale, Caroline De Beaufort, Katie Barker and few others approve of my works, that definitely brought a different sense of purpose to my journey as a photography artist” he says.