Home Coming: Absa L’Atelier Ambassador, Raji Bamidele’s Solo Art Exhibition
Have you ever seen an art piece either at a museum, gallery or in traffic (by the way, they are yet to invent what Nigerians can’t sell in traffic!) and from that moment on, you could not stop yourself from wondering what must have inspired the artist? You could tell that the piece was not a thoughtless doodling of an idle man. Every brush stroke on the canvas looks like an unbroken line of thought, nuance and passion!
When you see Raji Bamidele’s work, you can’t wait to be sucked into the vortex of the engaging stories that inspired them. What is more exciting than to hear that Bamidele, the 2019 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador making waves globally, is bringing his solo exhibition, “The Melodious Struggle of Souls and Consciousness” back home?!
Why “Melodious Struggle?” What does that even mean? Well, add it to the list of questions you will use to pepper Raji when you get a special ringside seat to see the exceptional art pieces and or hear from the artist at the exhibition.
Mark your calendars! The exhibition runs from June 22 to July 13, 2024, at the Alliance Française Gallery in Lagos.
A Peep into Raji and His Thoughts
Raji describes his art form as Afro-Contemporealism, a fusion of African contemporary and hyper realism. By incorporating traditional representations while maintaining cultural authenticity, he successfully embraces a global perspective.
Raji’s exploration of the significance of the human soul, consciousness, and spirit as mediums of understanding life's complexity is deeply rooted in the Yoruba belief system. According to the Yoruba tradition, the soul, mind, and heart—referred to as "Okan"—are interconnected.
Raji may be making the news now and getting international reviews due to the spotlight put on him as the 2019 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador, but he is certainly not an overnight success. He has a sterling career path that has been timestamped by numerous accolades.
He won the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos Prize at the 2015 Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) and the Best Use of Multimedia Award at the 2017 LIMCAF. He also received the French Embassy Young Talents Award and among others which might be collecting dust and cobwebs in his award shelf.
Of Absa and Absa L’Atelier!
Every year, Absa, one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), hosts the Absa L’Atelier, a Pan Africa art competition for visual artists between the ages of 21 and 40, who are citizens and or reside in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
The good news is that this opportunity extends beyond Raji. Absa L’Atelier’s platform is big enough to take on new talents and enough shine to go round! So, spread the word to any aspiring visual artist you know!
Don’t miss Raji Bamidele’s solo exhibition! Head to the Alliance Française Gallery, Lagos and give yourself a stunning treat!
[Sponsored]
Source: Legit.ng
