Exhibition
Engaging Perspectives
New Paragons I
18, Aug 2024 — 01, Sep 2024
Curatorial Statement
Tim & Carol, a leading art gallery on the mainland axis of Lagos poised with providing art services and shaping the creative culture is out once again with a new offering in the new series tagged “New Paragons: Engaging Perspectives.” This is unarguably a thought-provoking exhibition, with a plethora of artistic visions and voices of both renowned and emerging artists.
The representation of diverse perspectives evident in the genre of styles, medium, and thematic engagements is remarkable, it is a testament to the vigour of art to spark meaningful economic and socio-political conversations and inspire new modes of lateral thinking viable enough to trigger positive changes.
PERSPECTIVES ON 2 DIMENSIONAL GROUNDS
Abdulrazaq Titilayo (b.1998): is a promising painter episode of New Paragon with her captivating chromatic figurative expressions. A female painter whose creative voyage is an exploration of the profound connections between generations and the timeless moments that define the essence of womanhood. Her representation, mostly interior scenes, documents fashion and feminism including gestures and facial expressions with details that will glue the viewers to her frenzied canvases. Her oeuvre shows the study of “behind the scenes” of the Yoruba ladies and young girls alike in the process of “making up” before “showing up” at the “owanbes” (party). There is no gain-saying the fact that Titilayo will surely make her artistic footprint visible in the sand of time. It’s only a matter of time, if she persists with her storytelling of cultural identity and human connections through her brilliant exploration of colours.
John Alogi: is a new sensation in the Nigerian contemporary art scene on his way to the global stage. Trained at the renowned Yaba School of Art, Alogi’s art reveals his background thoughts and individualism. He dazzles with puzzles on his canvas to stimulate the audience and convey his message. A figurative painter exploring forms pixilation via his palette and brush strokes. His presentation in this show speaks volumes of greater feats ahead of him if he stays true to his art practice.
Ibrahim Falope: He is another revelation in the maiden edition of New Paragon. A Yaba School of Art graduate whose inspiration stems from his robust cultural heritage. His informal tutelage under Saheed Adelakun, a seasoned contemporary Nigerian artist is evident in his super-realistic rendition of human forms as seen in his entries titled ‘While the Sun Shines.” Falope’s penchant for details is remarkable and makes his pieces a cynosure. His practice will certainly evolve and birth other subject matters in the course of his creative voyage.
Faith Micheal: A vibrant painter, Faith has carved a distinctive niche for herself through a unique approach to colour application. Her brushwork shares affinity with digital photo manipulation, a myriad of colours trapped in cohesive and scintillating forms. The influence of her mentors – Uzoma Samuel and Ejoh Wallace obviously dictates her choice of subject matter and her stylistic and chromatic explorations.
Caroline Useh (b.1994): Caroline is an Auchi Polytechnic-trained artist who forges her forms with the use of disused materials. Her technique advances the extant traditional mixed media expression with the different use of unassuming materials – straps for wrist-watches. The choice of material is pregnant with deeper meanings expatiating the concept of time and how time determines everything in the existence of mankind. Her painstaking distribution of the variety of leather straps of wristwatches attests to her cognitive capacity to produce art that ruptures traditional boundaries.
Abiodun Badejo (b.1978): Abiodun has conjured a tongue with which he sings visually. His coordinated impasto evident in the texture of his canvases has established him as one of Nigeria’s Visual Arts colourists. Abiodun’s pieces in this show are engaging and soul-lifting amidst the high rate of inflation and economic uncertainties. Badejo’s “less is more” pallete is a pointer assuring us that there shall be light at the end of this dark and seemingly hopeless tunnel. The grey landscape captures a typical Lagos market scene, which used to be busy and noisy but scanty and calm in recent times due to the high cost of living and austerity that culminated in the recent nationwide protest.
Oluwayemisi Akingbola (b.1989): A dynamic and multi-dimensional artist who intertwines sound and images. Though Akingbola holds no academic degree in art, her expressions portray social realities and the interplay between rural and urban landscapes condensing motions and emotions as evident in her collection on display in this show. Her academic background in literature has sponsored her visual expressions accompanied by sound installation; a new paragon indeed.
Since its inception, Tim & Carol Gallery has been intentional in advancing the visibility of budding artists by staging them alongside established artists in the industry, hence the introduction of Oluwayemisi Akingbola whose works straddle the borders of traditional and digital art.
PERSPECTIVES IN 3-DIMENSIONAL FORM
Boma Joe-Jim: A proficient carver with a difference, Boma was partly trained by one of Nigeria’s foremost carvers Bisi Fakeye at the informal School of Art Universal Studios of Art, Iganmu. The concavities and convexities that characterized his works place him on a unique pedestal in the world of plastic art. Noteworthy is the finesse and lustrous tactile quality of the carvings. He is arguably charting a creative course to lead this genre of art in the future.
Opeyemi Olabanji (b. 1996): Opeyemi found expression in “repurposition” using discarded metal scraps to stimulate discourse premised on the perception of existence and cultural values in his socio-cultural milieu. Opeyemi’s creative combination of metal scraps and electronics junks furthers the waste-to-wealth campaign as there is an urgent need globally to create a conducive and sustainable environment amidst the shortcomings occasioned by climate change.
Djakou Kassi Nathalie (b.1975): Nathalie is a Cameroonian ceramist who has lived and worked in Lagos Nigeria more than in every other part of Africa and the globe. A material technologist, Nathalie has honed her skill over the years, her chromatic ceramics offer a different and unique gaze and admiration to her hallowed pottery and sculptural renditions. Her use of green hue in “Women Support Women, 2024” is captivating, the enshrined motifs and lettering lend credence to the two female figurines in conversation.
Ato Arinze: A multi-dimensional Ceramist/Sculptor is one of Nigeria’s specialists in 3-dimensional portraiture. He is a creative brand that needs no introduction based on his years of uninterrupted studio practice spanning over 3 decades.
As a guest artist featuring in the maiden edition of New Paragon, his repertoire on display will serve as a maturation to these promising artists to be focused and diligent in their creature process and practice.
In the vibrant and evolving landscape of contemporary art, the exhibition “New Paragons: Engaging Perspectives stands as proof of the power of In the vibrant and evolving landscape of contemporary art, the exhibition unravels the rich significance of artistic perspectives, blending the old with creativity and diverse artistic voices. Right before our eyes, this exhibition the new, the established with the emerging. Each artist brings forth a unique vision, challenging our perceptions and inviting us to explore the depths of human experience through their work. Tim & Carol Gallery has not only provided a platform for these voices but has also curated an experience that bridges generations, cultures, and mediums.
As we step away from the visual feast presented in this exhibition, we are reminded of the vital role that art plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us. The numerous viewpoints showcased here are not just artistic expressions; they are catalysts for dialogue, reflection, and ultimately, change. “New Paragons: Engaging Perspectives” is a call to engage, to see beyond the surface, and to recognize the transformative power of art in our society.
With this offering, Tim & Carol reaffirms its commitment to fostering a creative culture that transcends boundaries, paving the way for a new generation of artists to shine on the global stage. The frames of visual references we have witnessed here are just the beginning. As we look forward to future exhibitions, we can be sure that these artists will continue to captivate and inspire, right before our eyes.
The representation of diverse perspectives evident in the genre of styles, medium, and thematic engagements is remarkable, it is a testament to the vigour of art to spark meaningful economic and socio-political conversations and inspire new modes of lateral thinking viable enough to trigger positive changes.
PERSPECTIVES ON 2 DIMENSIONAL GROUNDS
Abdulrazaq Titilayo (b.1998): is a promising painter episode of New Paragon with her captivating chromatic figurative expressions. A female painter whose creative voyage is an exploration of the profound connections between generations and the timeless moments that define the essence of womanhood. Her representation, mostly interior scenes, documents fashion and feminism including gestures and facial expressions with details that will glue the viewers to her frenzied canvases. Her oeuvre shows the study of “behind the scenes” of the Yoruba ladies and young girls alike in the process of “making up” before “showing up” at the “owanbes” (party). There is no gain-saying the fact that Titilayo will surely make her artistic footprint visible in the sand of time. It’s only a matter of time, if she persists with her storytelling of cultural identity and human connections through her brilliant exploration of colours.
John Alogi: is a new sensation in the Nigerian contemporary art scene on his way to the global stage. Trained at the renowned Yaba School of Art, Alogi’s art reveals his background thoughts and individualism. He dazzles with puzzles on his canvas to stimulate the audience and convey his message. A figurative painter exploring forms pixilation via his palette and brush strokes. His presentation in this show speaks volumes of greater feats ahead of him if he stays true to his art practice.
Ibrahim Falope: He is another revelation in the maiden edition of New Paragon. A Yaba School of Art graduate whose inspiration stems from his robust cultural heritage. His informal tutelage under Saheed Adelakun, a seasoned contemporary Nigerian artist is evident in his super-realistic rendition of human forms as seen in his entries titled ‘While the Sun Shines.” Falope’s penchant for details is remarkable and makes his pieces a cynosure. His practice will certainly evolve and birth other subject matters in the course of his creative voyage.
Faith Micheal: A vibrant painter, Faith has carved a distinctive niche for herself through a unique approach to colour application. Her brushwork shares affinity with digital photo manipulation, a myriad of colours trapped in cohesive and scintillating forms. The influence of her mentors – Uzoma Samuel and Ejoh Wallace obviously dictates her choice of subject matter and her stylistic and chromatic explorations.
Caroline Useh (b.1994): Caroline is an Auchi Polytechnic-trained artist who forges her forms with the use of disused materials. Her technique advances the extant traditional mixed media expression with the different use of unassuming materials – straps for wrist-watches. The choice of material is pregnant with deeper meanings expatiating the concept of time and how time determines everything in the existence of mankind. Her painstaking distribution of the variety of leather straps of wristwatches attests to her cognitive capacity to produce art that ruptures traditional boundaries.
Abiodun Badejo (b.1978): Abiodun has conjured a tongue with which he sings visually. His coordinated impasto evident in the texture of his canvases has established him as one of Nigeria’s Visual Arts colourists. Abiodun’s pieces in this show are engaging and soul-lifting amidst the high rate of inflation and economic uncertainties. Badejo’s “less is more” pallete is a pointer assuring us that there shall be light at the end of this dark and seemingly hopeless tunnel. The grey landscape captures a typical Lagos market scene, which used to be busy and noisy but scanty and calm in recent times due to the high cost of living and austerity that culminated in the recent nationwide protest.
Oluwayemisi Akingbola (b.1989): A dynamic and multi-dimensional artist who intertwines sound and images. Though Akingbola holds no academic degree in art, her expressions portray social realities and the interplay between rural and urban landscapes condensing motions and emotions as evident in her collection on display in this show. Her academic background in literature has sponsored her visual expressions accompanied by sound installation; a new paragon indeed.
Since its inception, Tim & Carol Gallery has been intentional in advancing the visibility of budding artists by staging them alongside established artists in the industry, hence the introduction of Oluwayemisi Akingbola whose works straddle the borders of traditional and digital art.
PERSPECTIVES IN 3-DIMENSIONAL FORM
Boma Joe-Jim: A proficient carver with a difference, Boma was partly trained by one of Nigeria’s foremost carvers Bisi Fakeye at the informal School of Art Universal Studios of Art, Iganmu. The concavities and convexities that characterized his works place him on a unique pedestal in the world of plastic art. Noteworthy is the finesse and lustrous tactile quality of the carvings. He is arguably charting a creative course to lead this genre of art in the future.
Opeyemi Olabanji (b. 1996): Opeyemi found expression in “repurposition” using discarded metal scraps to stimulate discourse premised on the perception of existence and cultural values in his socio-cultural milieu. Opeyemi’s creative combination of metal scraps and electronics junks furthers the waste-to-wealth campaign as there is an urgent need globally to create a conducive and sustainable environment amidst the shortcomings occasioned by climate change.
Djakou Kassi Nathalie (b.1975): Nathalie is a Cameroonian ceramist who has lived and worked in Lagos Nigeria more than in every other part of Africa and the globe. A material technologist, Nathalie has honed her skill over the years, her chromatic ceramics offer a different and unique gaze and admiration to her hallowed pottery and sculptural renditions. Her use of green hue in “Women Support Women, 2024” is captivating, the enshrined motifs and lettering lend credence to the two female figurines in conversation.
Ato Arinze: A multi-dimensional Ceramist/Sculptor is one of Nigeria’s specialists in 3-dimensional portraiture. He is a creative brand that needs no introduction based on his years of uninterrupted studio practice spanning over 3 decades.
As a guest artist featuring in the maiden edition of New Paragon, his repertoire on display will serve as a maturation to these promising artists to be focused and diligent in their creature process and practice.
In the vibrant and evolving landscape of contemporary art, the exhibition “New Paragons: Engaging Perspectives stands as proof of the power of In the vibrant and evolving landscape of contemporary art, the exhibition unravels the rich significance of artistic perspectives, blending the old with creativity and diverse artistic voices. Right before our eyes, this exhibition the new, the established with the emerging. Each artist brings forth a unique vision, challenging our perceptions and inviting us to explore the depths of human experience through their work. Tim & Carol Gallery has not only provided a platform for these voices but has also curated an experience that bridges generations, cultures, and mediums.
As we step away from the visual feast presented in this exhibition, we are reminded of the vital role that art plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us. The numerous viewpoints showcased here are not just artistic expressions; they are catalysts for dialogue, reflection, and ultimately, change. “New Paragons: Engaging Perspectives” is a call to engage, to see beyond the surface, and to recognize the transformative power of art in our society.
With this offering, Tim & Carol reaffirms its commitment to fostering a creative culture that transcends boundaries, paving the way for a new generation of artists to shine on the global stage. The frames of visual references we have witnessed here are just the beginning. As we look forward to future exhibitions, we can be sure that these artists will continue to captivate and inspire, right before our eyes.
Ambience Shots
Exhibition Shots
