Affordable Art Online Introduces Adekunle’s First Lagos Show

After a series of ground-breaking art projects, Affordable Art Online is set to unleash Gbemileke Adekunle’s first solo exhibition in Lagos. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

Gbemileke Adekunle wakes up every day to the freshness of the surrounding rural vegetation, away from the eccentric mega-city life. Somewhere in the heart of Osogbo sits his private studio where he lets his creative juices flow. After his NYSC programme, he ventured into teaching briefly and later returned to active studio practice for the love of painting. During this brief encounter with him in Lagos, he revealed why he would be coming to Lagos soon for his first solo exhibition opening on September 24.

Although he has only been a professional visual artist for three years, he completed his Masters’ degree in Fine Arts in 2016 at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. But his mastery of art began slowly from his early childhood years which began in Owode, Ogun state. His father discovered the talent of drawing when he was just a primary school pupil. But he didn’t ignore it.

“He took me to a friend of his who is an artist and he trained me before I went to the university. We called him Obanla. My parents were also artists in their own rights. They could make illustrations-most especially my mother. The first picture I drew was taken from a biology book and I tried to copy the image. That was how the passion for arts grew,’’ he recalled.

In 2016, he had an academic project that was based on Osun Osogbo festival. Using painting as his medium, he documented the festival from the first day to the last. Over the years, his style had been influenced by quite a number of artists including the American landscape artist, Jeremy Mann. Like Mann, Adekunle is intrigued by mood, ambience and the human figures. While oscillating between impressionism and expressionism, Adekunle makes a conscious effort not to be framed as a realist painter. In this solo exhibition titled ‘Blues and Ballads,’ Adekunle presents a body of works that is unique, audacious and thought-provoking.

“I am showing 20 pieces in this exhibition. I have landscape works and portraits that capture melancholic moods and other emotions. I often use pallete knife to paint although, I used conventional brush and pastel for some others,’’ he revealed.

Apart from the noise pollution in cities such as Lagos, Adekunle’s preference for the rural community as against city life also hinges on the easy access to indigenous materials and people. For instance, one of his paintings was inspired by two female hawkers who were engaging in small talk. Adekunle thought that is a rare sight in a city and decided to paint it. Lagos cityscapes also characterize some of the paintings to be shown from September 24 to 26 at the Affinity Art Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos.

In a statement by Affordable Art Online, the three-day show is a must-see for art connoisseurs in Lagos.

“We are excited to be showcasing our second art exhibition in Lagos, introducing Gbemileke Adekunle’s first solo exhibition. Adekunle is a vibrant artist who talent shows with every brush stroke. We are happy to be embarking on this great journey with him and we are very grateful to all our sponsors.’’