by Agozino Agozino
Though the bond between art and culture is unbreakable, not many artists highlight it in their studio creativity similarly, in the relationship between art, culture and visual experiments.
However, one artist, whose studio trait, over the years, attempts to experiment this new art forms is the painter Aladegbongbe Aderinsoye Ademorin, a lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos. This was what his recent solo exhibition entitled Visual Sensation which held at the National Museum, Onikan, in Lagos, captured. For many art lovers, who were at the event, it was no not only a good outing but another plus for the artist.
The two-week display, which ended in accolade for the painter, featured paintings, drawings, metal foil and woods produced by the Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State-born painter. On display were over 30 very colourful pieces depicting designs scenes, design and abstract imaginations by the painter. Apart from what viewers described as good use of colour and beautiful framing, some of the painting were also remarkable because of the sliced wood trunks and how the artist finished the works, giving it multi-cultural themes.
The show originally designated for one week for public viewing was extended at Yusuf Grillo Art Gallery, Yaba College of Technology. Interestingly, Aladegbongbe?s style is drawned heavily from Yoruba indigenous art traits and motif. Many of the pieces at the outing echoed motifs and themes that showcase his steep in traditional Yoruba ethos. Among his titles of exhibits in the show were, Elders forum, Oko Baba, among others.
On what inspired the exhibition, the painter, who studied General Arts, at Yabatech, and holds a Post-Graduate degree in Painting from University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, said that one of the primary objectives of the Visual Sensation was to showcase five different types of works that have inspired his art. The artist, who regretted the inability of his colleagues in using art to bridge the gap in society, said that Visual Sensation was initiated to fill that gap.
?Visual Sensation is a presentation of collections of five different bodies of work that have been of intrigue to me. These works, I hope, will expose a paradigm shift from my previous approach to solo or group exhibitions, which are sets of works on experimentation; a way far from the normal paintings I do. The theme and titles of the works reflect sociocultural and economic activities in the nation.??
He said: ??In this show, there is more attention on cultural theme, since I have always been an avid social anthropologist at heart with respect to my Yoruba culture. Visual Sensation appreciates both natural material and material garnered through a period, so much that creative and intricate African motifs are used to embellish the natural form generated from the logs of dried wood. The grains found in the sliced wood communicate the age of the wood or tree after they are full. This, for me, has generated a lot of sensational inquisitiveness to the eyes.??
Going down memory lane on the exhibition, he reasoned: ??My attendance at the 2005 Harmattarn workshop, organised by Bruce Onobrakpeya, at Agbara- Otor, set for me platform concerning this experimentation on foil with the use of improvised materials.?? Aladegbongbe also said some of the paintings on display are inspired from the activities that go on inside Oko Baba market, which include fish selling, loading and uploading of both planks and logs, men at work in the open saw-mill rooms, rolling of logs towards machines for cutting and slicing.
He said that the exhibition, apart from focusing on the socioeconomic and cultural themes, serves aims to showcase Nigeria?s richness. He urged younger artists to re-discover their roots, adding that God had endowed the country with rich heritage. Aladegbongbe equally hints the exhibition project the importance of culture, as an important reminder for any nation not to miss its direction.
Aladegbongbe, is a professionally- trained painter, teacher and culture advocate. He is also a part time Pentecostal pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He explained that the exhibition is a continuation of a long-running project he started several years ago Among the major group and solo exhibitions that Aladegbongbe has participated in are, October Rain by SNA, Lagos at Nike Gallery Lekki; the Art Zero group shows at National Museum, Onikan, Lagos and Red Brick Building, National Theatre, a group show by the National Gallery of Art in University of Benin and another at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.
