Review of the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2017

Among my favourite assemblages were a series of figurative paintings by the Nigerian visual artist and architect Abe Odedina (b. 1960, Ibadan), curated for Ed Cross Fine Art Gallery by Katherine Finerty. More than 20 of the artist’s works were displayed from a series called “Body Language” – with each of the figures representing a call to action to prepare ourselves for surviving the physical and emotional conflicts and challenges of contemporary life. The artist’s work is described by the curator as “folk art inspired by the rich, figurative traditions of African art, infused with a trace of magic realism.” Influenced by a diverse range of cultural traditions and classical themes – from Greek mythology and Yoruba spiritual practices, through to Salvadoran and Bahia hybrid traditions in Brazil – Abe Odedina interprets his own practice and motivations as follows:

“The struggle is to reconcile bold imagery with ideas about ambiguity or indeterminacy. My intention is to arouse the imagination and heart of the viewer and to detonate ideas in another realm.” – Abe Odedina

Read the full article here.