Cities, People and Countryside -Olotu’s artistic eye on Nigeria
By Japhet Alakam
After his last solo exhibition titled Nigeria and Beyond which featured a historic political documentation of the heroes of Nigeria and other countries in the world in 2009, painter and the palette knife master , Oyerinde Olotu, who is one of those that believes that people’s future is usually guarded by its past is back with another solo exhibition tagged Cities, People and Countryside – Travels with an Artists Eye .
The exhibition which could be regarded as Olotu’s anniversary gift to Nigerians as they celebrate their 51st birthday will feature about 50 works of paintings and drawings on oil and acrylics . It will open on October 1st at the famous Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos and run till October 8.
Abandoned one lane colonial bridge at Sobe, Edo State
In the exhibition, Olotu who takes special interest in painting old things as usual digs into the history of Nigeria and paints and draws great figures of accomplished individuals from the diverse worlds of politics, religion and the arts. It will also feature some landscapes as works on the countryside where paintings of the riverine areas that depict the relics of the colonial people, will be shown.
Using a limited palette and toned down colours, Olotu takes the viewer’s attention with his representational portraits and scenes. While his effective use of light and shades give the works a certain darkness that combines and overlaps with the colours. In his black and white portraits, the artist draws and sketches, using pastel on paper.
A look at the works suggests that he understands the role of history in any nation, and he is using his medium to send a message to the people of Nigeria on the need to preserve the surviving memorial of the past.
Speaking about the exhibition,Olotu disclosed that the exhibition which will feature completely new works, is a product of three years research that took him to many parts of the country. “I traveled to many parts of the country and that is why Country side came into the theme, but I limited it to the western part of the country for now.
My initial plan was to work on the entire country but that did not materialise because of the volatile situation in some parts of the country but I promise to reach out to the rest later as I believe it is a continuous thing.” He added.
The works include relics of the colonial presence which have been abandoned by the present leaders, an issue that bothers the painter. And on it Olotu suggests that government should have taken care of those things like the bridges, though vehicles do no longer use them, there is need to take care of them instead of allowing them to be covered with grasses.
According to him, “I painted the Abandoned one lane colonial bridge at Sobe, Edo State so that people will see it and probably one day somebody will see the necessity to restore it. There are also the pictures of the Third Mainland bridge, the old Carter bridge and others.
The exihibition is not an environmental issue but it talks about the dignity of people, past Heroes and paintings of the riverine areas.” He stated.
Some of the works to be displayed include: Idanre 1& 2, Mother Theresa, Ajegunle, Igun Street Bronze Caster at work Benin City, Makoko Series 1&2, Prof. Yusuf Grillo, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Return of the Farmers, Whispering Palms, Broad Street and others.
The exhibition which is supported by Omoba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) will be attended by many art collectors, patrons and lovers, among them are Engr. Yemisi Shyllon, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Sammy Olagbaju, Torch Taire, Richard T. Akerele, Joe Obiago, Mrs Juliannah Edewor- Thomas, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Mr Martin Kruegel who will be the Special Guest of Honour.
