O’DA Art is honoured to present Monument of the Soul, the second solo exhibition at the gallery celebrating the work of Sculptor and visual artist, Reuben Ugbine (b.1956-2021). Featuring a range of Iroko, Teak and Terracotta sculptures from 1999 to present day, the exhibition expands on Ugbines use of materiality and scale to respond to socio-political systems and foreground the intrinsic value of everyday experiences in the nation.
Reuben Ugbine was a master storyteller with a keen eye for detail whose creative flair permitted him to translate human experience into visual narratives. His work has the ability to draw the viewer's attention to the nuances of multiple lives and conditioned behaviours, shedding light on how we collectively occupy space in culture. In pieces like “Dancing figure” and “Acrobat” we see the physical manifestation of dance, physical activity & “fun” characterised through the curves and exaggerated limbs of the figures. The volatile energy that permeates his works creates a compelling and almost responsive experience by giving insight to human nature and how we all carry similar histories. Similarly, his ceramic terracotta pieces, where he relays socially relevant experiences of “Children Studying” and “Football Teams', is yet another instance where Ugbine pieces together fragments of a creative history that one can relate to.
This exhibition pays homage to the life of renowned sculptor, Reuben Ugbine and the incredible body of work created during his lifetime. Our Gallery is honoured to present this exhibition in collaboration with The Ugbine Family Estate and The Edo Global Art Foundation.
