A solo exhibition of early and recent drawings by celebrated ceramist and sculptor, Ato Arinze opens for viewing tomorrow Saturday August 8, at the Alliance Française complex, Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos. In a chronicling of the subtleties and notions of change akin to man, Arinze, in The Root of Change, presents a series of 27 drawings compact with symbolisms and intense messages aimed at sparking and taunting the sub-consciousness of viewers. The works on display examine the vicissitudes and similitude of change in a bid to encourage and incite the viewer’s perspective. “Whether we pay attention to the buildup of change or not, it encompasses and defines the totality of our existence.
These dynamics and dualities of change will be examined through the collection of early and recent pencil drawings of spiritual and mystified intone on the quest and effect of change on the society and individual,” he says. The works, according to Arinze, are inspired by his quest for enlightenment and by his distant observance of people’s reaction to changes in their environment. An interesting facet of this exhibition is that it veers from direct political, social or religious inclination but symbolically intones droplets intended to stimulate the viewer’s perception, thoughts and understanding of what appears before him/her. It challenges the immediacy of first sight, and requires viewers take a step back, think twice and relate each piece as they come together to drill into the root of change. The choice of graphite on paper plays down on the distraction that colours obtain and enables viewers focus solely on the works.
“Whilst, some are wont to frown at what might appear as the explicit, carnal portrayal of the genitals, this is a conscious attempt by the artist to define the bareness of our existence. Our encounters and dealings are implied by the artists with subtle intents at romance and the results of such.” As the exhibition opens for viewing tomorrow through Saturday August 22, 2015 at the Alliance Française complex, 239 Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, many talking points are sure to be evoked, yet, in general, the idea behind the show is best felt in the absence of sentimentalism and favouritism to an extreme.
The wish of the artist is simple: “That viewers prepare their mind with keenness bent on taking the time out to single out each work against daily experiences and take the meditative room ‘inside’ to come to terms with this exposition on life and change. Though born and raised in Lagos, Arinze hails from Onitsha in Anambra state, where he had his secondary school education and his first two years of Polytechnic Education. Later he obtained his higher diploma at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, specialising in Sculpture and Pottery in 1991. He has been practising as a full-time studio artist from then, and occasionally freelances as a sculptor, workshop instructor, art promoter and art consultant. His preferred media is clay, for pottery, and fibreglass, for sculpture. He is always on the quest for spiritual enlightenment either at work or at relaxation
No comments:
Post a Comment