Yenwa Gallery Set to Unveil Exhibition, ‘Beauty In Its Time’

Yenwa Gallery announced today that it will present its second exhibition in Lagos next month with a solo exhibition of new work by multidisciplinary artist Laila Cadne Rahman, marking her debut as an exhibiting artist. Building on Rahman’s experience in the beauty industry and her photography practice, Beauty In Its Time is a survey of Nigerian women’s beauty trends in Lagos from the 1960s till today.

Spread across two of the three floors of the gallery, the exhibition creates a through line that transcends time and borders and expresses the connections between the beauty practices over the ages while contemplating the various influences. Beauty In Its Time will be on view at 1-7 Muri Okunola, Victoria Island, Lagos, from July 2 through August 6, 2023.

Her work is inspired by her late mother, who was once a distributor for Mary Kay products, “this project is me holding on to a memory of my mom,” says Rahman, “growing up I wasn’t into beauty but now I believe it’s my purpose.” Known for her 9yr career as a makeup artist, creating memorable looks, she began to explore photography and filmmaking. She debuted her film making career in 2018 with the Short film Documentary called “MMA NMA” – Beauty of a Mother, which went on to show at African International Film Festival (AFRIFF). She released another project called “ANTI” -a short story, in 2019.

Her debut exhibition will showcase a series of photography works, in which the artist has reimagined iconic looks and scenes, acting as both make-up artist and photographer. These works are accompanied by a 10-minute documentary featuring notable stakeholders in the Nigerian beauty industry. Evoking a sense of nostalgia, the audience is taken on a journey that celebrates the diversity and richness of the art form of hair and makeup, while being educated about the cultural significance of, and influences on, hairstyles from different eras in Nigerian history.

“In keeping with the gallery’s commitment to African photography and new media, We are honored to present Laila Cadne Rahman for our first documentary and photography exhibition,” says Yenwa Gallery founder, Ugonna Ibe.

He added that, “Rahman’s mastery of make-up, photography and storytelling, makes this body of work especially compelling for a Lagos audience, as she integrates memory and shared history, she exemplifies Yenwa’s mission to advance contemporary African art through creative archival practices.”

Yenwa Gallery exhibits the best in contemporary painting and sculpture across Africa and its diasporas with a special focus on African photography and new media. Founded in 2021 by curator & designer Ugonna Ibe, Yenwa Gallery opened its first space in Lagos in April 2023 with an intergenerational group exhibition which simultaneously invoked Lagos art and exhibition legacy as well as celebrated its interconnectedness.

Born on the 5th of November, 1991 in Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria. Laila Cadne-Rahman is an accomplished multidisciplinary artist, beauty entrepreneur and the head makeup artist at “Laila Cadne Atelier” a makeup outfit in Lagos, Nigeria. She debuted her film making career in 2018 with the Short film Documentary called “MMA NMA” – Beauty of a Mother, which went on to show at African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and released another project – “ANTI” a short story, in 2019.

Rahman has worked with notable brands including Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gionee, Pernod Ricard, Wema Bank, Toshiba, Godrej – Darling and Mega growth Nigeria, Blank Magazine UK, Jumia, Canon. She’s also worked with notable media personalities, artists and influencers including but not only Tems, Uncle Waffles, Bayo Oke Lawal of Orange culture, Temi Adeniji (MD Warner music Africa), Aderenle Adesina (ED,NPA), Damilola Odunfuwa, Denola Grey, DJ Cuppy, Michelle Dede, Zainab Balogun, Nicole Chikwe Fk Abudu, Nicole Asinugo, Ugonna Ibe (Founder Yenwa Art x Cinnamon Lagos), Jola Ayeye, Valerie Ike, Linda Ejiofor, Fade Ogunro, Stephanie Coker, Aphrodija, Idia Aisen to mention a few.