In ‘Kindred Spirits’, Two Artists Offer Glimpses into the World of AI and Social Realities

Yinka Olatunbosun

The intrusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the creative space has been a subject of curiosity and concern in recent times. It came as no surprise when the newly opened show curated by SMO Contemporary Art, titled Kindred Spirits, offers an artistic perspective on the subject.  The show, which opened on May 1 at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, features 31 pieces from two experimental artists, Tayo Olayode and Ade Odunfa.

Olayode, who is a co-founder of the Iponri Art Studios and the President of the Watercolour League, explores the subject matter of AI and how technology is creating mind-bending solutions that redefines our world in terms of culture and identity. For real artists’ works not to be upstaged by AI generated art, his position is for artists to embrace their ingenuity and the traditional art forms.

“In five to ten years, it may be a struggle identifying which is AI generated art and which is traditional art,” Olayode explained during a recent press preview of the works hosted by Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi. “Artists may have to compete with computers and the competition is going to get a lot tougher even though I believe it will help increase the value of traditional art.”

In his Flip Flop series, Olayode recycled rubber slippers, making mosaic pieces out of its tiny fragments.  The end result is colourful and hopeful, capturing relatable images and scenarios in the daily lives of a Nigerian such as a mother taking her child to school on foot, two technicians working on a faulty generator and a rider helping another to push a motorcycle to start. It is quite significant that an object of daily routine – the rubber slippers – is appropriated in delivery of this series that echoes the theme of survival.

In some of Odunfa’s pieces, he delves into cultural memory in his use of upcycled household materials such as the lace fabric amongst others. He revealed that the fabric used were retrieved from his mother’s collection of vintage laces to create sophisticated female forms that radiate elegance and vibrancy. The lace motif largely influenced the multiple award-winning artist that he appropriated the leaf patterns on the lace for his canvasses.

For both exhibiting artists, the show is a response to the political realities in Nigeria and a reminder of the power of the arts in building bridges. Prior to this show, the two artists had collaborated on projects for over 25 years, exhibited locally and internationally and worked on large-scale sculptural commissions in public spaces in two cities namely Lagos and Port Harcourt.

While reflecting on the show, the exhibition’s curator and creative director of SMO Contemporary Art, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago remarked that this showcase of two mid-career artists is an important avenue for recounting the complex African art narratives.

“The rich textures and diverse media showcased in Kindred Spirits is a reminder that we need to appreciate the solid talent and artistic contributions of a whole generation of important artists who have paved the way for the young and dynamic ‘tik tok’ generation taking over the social media,’’ she said.

The show runs till June 30.