O’DA Art Gallery in Lagos is excited to announce its latest exhibition, ÀWA, showcasing the works of visual artists Simon Ojeaga and Daniel Olumide. This exhibition marks a milestone for the gallery, as it features the first showing of its represented artists, offering an in-depth exploration of contemporary Nigerian youth culture and its global connections.
Titled ÀWA—which translates to “us”—the exhibition delves into the individuality of young Nigerians while highlighting the collective spirit rooted in African traditions. Through the works of Ojeaga and Olumide, viewers are invited to witness the complex interplay between personal growth, cultural heritage, and the evolving identities of Nigerian youth.
Daniel Olumide’s work presents a rich tapestry of youthful emotion and introspection. Drawing inspiration from everyday life in Lagos, his pieces are a celebration of growth and empowerment. In Hopeful Eyes, a boy’s intense gaze locks with the viewer, evoking both vulnerability and strength. The rawness of his brushstrokes and the contrast of light and shadow imbue the portrait with a depth that invites the audience to peer into the subject’s inner world. Another piece, Ambivalence, portrays a young man gazing away, his enigmatic expression captured through dynamic use of highlights and shadows. Olumide’s portraits skillfully bridge intimacy and contemplation, capturing the weight of emotion in the threshold of adolescence.
Simon Ojeaga’s work, on the other hand, is an intricate journey into identity, using his signature technique known as “Fractellations.” This labor-intensive process involves painting singular, repeated patterns to create highly detailed compositions that reflect the complexity of self-discovery. In Wacko, Sleight of Hand, Ojeaga presents a singular figure in multiple poses, symbolizing the fluid, unpredictable nature of adolescence. His piece, Warm Hands, further illustrates interconnectedness, depicting a group of figures in unified shades, with their hands symbolizing divine touch and communal strength.
ÀWA is a celebration of the diversity and beauty of human experience, with Ojeaga and Olumide offering layered insights into the lives and personalities of young Nigerians today.
The exhibition runs from August 31 to September 28, 2024, at O’DA Art Gallery, located at 10 Sir Samuel Manuwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
For more information, visit O’DA Art Gallery’s website.
