With a Sextet, Mydrim Gallery’s Future Masters Series Returns 

Yinka Olatunbosun

enerations: The Future Masters Series is back at the Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos. The exhibition, which features six mid-career and emerging artists, has been an annual tradition to promote mid-career and emerging artists. Now in its sixth edition, the exhibition, which opened on August 19, features works by Adebiyi Ayobami, Christian Okwananke, Olumide Daniel, Obeka Simon, Stanley Ugonabo, and Taiwo Owoyemi.

According to one of the curators for the show, David Oluwatoyin, “Mydrim has provided endless inspiration to many emerging artists through this series of exhibitions. It is an avenue where the future masters collaborate with young artists who are talented and good draughtsmen who, in one way or another, stick to the traditional ways of doing art using different media.”

At a recent press preview for the exhibition, three of the six exhibiting artists spoke glowingly about their works and the inspiration behind their individual craft. One of them, Olumide Daniel Olukayode is a figurative artist whose thematic preoccupation comprises human lifestyle, feelings, and emotions. With eight pieces, he is set to take the viewer on a thought-provoking experience. In the work titled “Who the Cap Fits,’’ he depicts an oversized cap, which is symbolic in raising questions about taking on responsibilities that are bigger than one’s age.

Using himself as a case study, he, being the first son, assumes a father-figure role in his family. The Fine Art graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University is largely influenced by mentors such as Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, and Salako Babajide, all of whom he met during his internship at the Universal Studio of Art.

Likewise, Adebiyi Ayobami, who studied arts and industrial design at the Lagos State Polytechnic, made a career decision under the influence of the mentors at the Universal Studio of Art. He started off his career as a painter but seamlessly embraced sculpting during his industrial training programme.

His work, titled “Ecstasy”, represents his optimistic view of life despite adversity and challenges. “The thought behind that is that no matter the condition in this life, you have to make yourself happy. I was already doing art before formal training in art. There are lots of modestly dressed women in my works, and I also use that to pass a message to society.”

Okwananke, who hails from Anambra State, began art practice as a form of therapy to escape bullying by his older siblings. Born and raised in Ibadan, the last of eight children studied architecture at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, graduating in 2016.

“I have worked in interior design companies, construction, and as a storyboard artist for a music producer,” he said. “I do arts and architectural designs in 3D. Story board for movies. I have my own cartoon series that has been running since 2012, Architect Chike, which is my alter ego.”

Growing up in a large household meant that he had to find his own utopia in the midst of chaos. He started sketching around the house and the neighbourhood.

“I wanted oil, but it was expensive. So, I started using water colour. At first, my painting was terrible. I was in my internship stage, but I saw an exhibition that featured Ibe Ananaba, Segun Adejumo, and Abiodun Olaku. I started working harder on my skills. I didn’t even know then that they sold art. I just paint and keep my work in the house. I started trying out other materials. When I could afford to buy oil, my first painting was that of my dad. I was never encouraged. I had brothers who could paint better than I could, but they all stopped because art was not considered a career. But I was the last born, and after a while, they let me be.”

The result is a portfolio of beautiful watercolour paintings that capture nolstagia and explore cultural memory. His work, titled “Ten Ten,” exemplifies the everyday lives of children in Nigeria and holds a childhood memory for the artist, who drew a parallel with Japan’s Squid game.

Stanley Ugonabo, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, works predominantly in oil. His art has evolved over the years and has always involved exploring realist and surrealist forms while cleverly manipulating the human anatomy to tell stories laden with energy and empathy. Some of his works include “Persecution” I–V and “Things Unseen.”

With Taiwo Owoyemi, exploring discarded materials is an asset. The graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, uses junk aluminium cans of different shapes, sizes, and colours to produce beautiful artworks using the repousse assemblage sculpture technique.