Deborah Segun’s Where I Belong Explores Nostalgia, Change, and Self-Rediscovery

Deborah Segun, Spring, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 81.5 x 107 cm, Image courtesy of Pearl Lam Galleries.

Pearl Lam Galleries proudly presents Where I Belong, a poignant solo exhibition by Nigerian contemporary artist Deborah Segun. This deeply introspective series reflects Segun’s exploration of nostalgia, change, and adaptability, set against the backdrop of her return to the United Kingdom. Once considered a second home, the UK now feels unfamiliar due to the passage of time and rapid societal transformation.

Segun’s works capture her inner conflict between a longing for the past and the stark reality of the present. The exhibition offers a compelling narrative of her personal journey, rendered in her signature minimalist style. Her fragmented silhouettes of female figures, characterized by contemplative poses and subdued palettes, evoke themes of solitude, growth, and healing.

Deborah Segun, A Different Past, 2023, Acrylic on canvas, 180x 140 cm, Image courtesy of Pearl Lam Galleries

A Return to the UK: Reflecting on Change

Deborah Segun’s relocation to the UK marks a turning point in her life, and her artworks poignantly document this experience. In contrast to the familiar pace of her childhood memories, she finds herself navigating the frenetic environment of modern life. “Time waits for no one,” she reflects, lamenting the loss of stillness and simplicity. Through her paintings, Segun creates a meditative space where she confronts these changes, seeking solace in a quieter, calmer lifestyle.

Her journey also involves engaging with her “inner child” and revisiting past traumas. This process is beautifully illustrated in works like A Different Past (2023), which draws upon her solitary childhood experiences as the youngest sibling with a significant age gap from her brothers and sisters. The painting encapsulates Segun’s feelings of isolation during her early years and her subsequent longing for community.


Community and Healing: Themes of Connection and Growth

The theme of community plays a significant role in Where I Belong, reflecting Segun’s evolving relationships and her pursuit of self-acceptance. In Safe Haven, she explores how interactions with supportive women helped her confront issues such as body image and self-worth. These relationships have been instrumental in reshaping her perspectives and fostering a deeper sense of belonging.

Works like Enrichment and Spring signify moments of renewal and spiritual growth, while Silent Comfort (2023) conveys the artist’s embrace of solitude as a source of peace. Segun’s approach is both vulnerable and empowering, encouraging viewers—especially women—to prioritize self-awareness and well-being.

Deborah Segun, Silent Comfort, 2023, Acrylic o canvas,160 x 140 cm, Image courtesy of Pearl Lam Galleries.

Minimalist Mastery: A Visual Language of Introspection

Segun’s distinctive style features fragmented female forms rendered in soft, pale tones. This minimalist aesthetic creates a sense of calm and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences of change and resilience. The subtle interplay of colors and flatness in her compositions mirrors the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, which lies at the heart of her narrative.


Exhibition Details

Where I Belong is on view at 70 Square Metres, located at G/F, 41 Hengshan Road, Shanghai, China. The exhibition runs from January 3 to March 1, 2025, and visits are by appointment only. To schedule a viewing, contact visit@70sqm.com or connect via WeChat: _70squaremetres.

Through this exhibition, Deborah Segun invites audiences into a deeply personal journey, offering a space to reflect on their own stories of transformation and self-discovery. Her work not only captures the essence of change but also celebrates the resilience and adaptability that define the human spirit.

Solverwp- WordPress Theme and Plugin