In the Midst of Chaos was borne out of what we recognised as a needed rallying call to remind us all to rise above the noise and find the space to hope again.
The last show of the year for O’DA Art is always poignant - one last push to share beauty with our collectors, but also a sigh of relief that we can look forward to some rest and the holidays. This year, there is even more need for a break from what has been a very trying year for many of us. There is no doubt that the world today is louder and more intrusive - screens take up hours of our days from smart devices to TV screens and even billboards being such close companions. But what happens when what is being communicated so loudly is chaotic and often nerve-racking?
This year has been swings from war, to war, to economic hardship, to election doom. Where does one find respite from all the chaos? For me, I believe this is where art can come in. Art can be an incredible tool to focus one’s mind on claiming back peace, serenity, and space. Space to think. Space to determine (the life you desire). Space to figure out how to make it happen for you. Chaos can often rob us of space
In the Midst of Chaos was borne out of what we recognised was a needed rallying call to remind us all to rise above the noise and find the space to hope again. Often in meditation classes we are tasked to find something to focus our gaze on in order to quiet out the noise and find our centre. I believe the works of the artists for this show can be used as just that, a tool to recentre yourself in the midst of the chaos.
The artists featured have an obvious common ground, each have their practise centred upon their unique manipulation of photography. In addition to that however, is their different layering techniques that form the final outcome of the initial photographic image.
Mobolaji Ogunrosoye’s ‘Sketch of Portrait’ series is a double entendre of layering, first we get to go back to Ogunrosoye’s initial conceptualisation phase, in essence the first layer before some of the pieces shown are developed to larger manifestations of the initial ideation. But also, Ogunrosoye’s works are a physical demonstration of layering; her incredible technique that arranges collage photography on top of each other. Seemingly creating depth, puzzles and a mastery to hold that ‘chaos’ together.
Orry Shenjobi works in steps to achieve her layered pieces. The initial scouting and photography of everyday scenes, transferring photography to canvas, and then adding depth through the addition of oil paint on certain elements within the scene. ‘Adenike and Adebimpe’ for instance offers at its forefront two subjects in conversation with very dense and textured clothing, but even in the background, the scene is rich with colours, patterns, and activity. She goes on further to render the green foliage on the building with oil paint. Through her skilful and deliberate manipulation of where she draws our gaze, we are reminded that we can still find harmony even within a daily Lagos that can often appear chaotic to the causal observer.
In the realm of Adekola’s artistry, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, as the photographic image transforms into a tapestry of vibrant hues and textures. “Emir of Kano” is a piece that beckons the viewer to step into its kaleidoscopic world, where the subjects’ distinct colors mesmerize, and the intricate motifs in the background whisper secrets of a rich cultural heritage. Through this work, we are tasked to see what can be considered common place in a whole new light.
I believe that is what this last show of the year at O’DA Art is trying to achieve - a reminder that we can have control over the lens we use to view the world, to view the chaos, and to remind us to keep trying to find our harmony within
