By Chukwuma Ajakah

Fresh from an international exhibition tour held in Sweden, where he had exhibited alongside other world class artists, veteran artist and art educator, Kunle Adeyemi warms up for another month-long exhibition to mark his formal disengagement from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

The research exhibition is organized by the School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, in conjunction with Kunle Adeyemi Studio, Lagos. Adeyemi, a consummate artist and former Dean of the school, has for many years distinguished himself as an art instructor and mentor at the famous college, rising through the rungs of the academic ladder and exhibiting within and outside Nigeria.    

In a Press Conference held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at Kunle Adeyemi Studio, Mushin, the Curatorial Director, Moses Ohiomokhare, revealed that the exhibition tagged, “Paintograph & Paintocast” will begin with the opening ceremony scheduled for 12: 00 noon, Tuesday, August 13 and run through Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Yusuf Grillo Gallery, School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. The exhibition space opens daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

The works marked for exhibition are expected to elicit intellectual argument and debates as the occasion is packaged to provide valedictory meditations from the academic who has not only attained the mandatory age of 65, but also served meritoriously in various capacities. In his overview of the upcoming event, the Curatorial Director said, “Paintograph & Paintocast is an innovative approach from Dr. Adeyemi’s doctoral thesis in his desire to contribute to new knowledge to our art space. If you are looking for an exciting art that creates an extraordinary testament to the creative spirit of Africans, you will find that in Kunle Adeyemi’s spectacular exhibition. ”

While speaking on the import of the emblematic theme, Dr. Adeyemi said: “Paintograph and Paintocast is a convergence of painting and printmaking which had formed the nucleus of my PhD dissertation. To give it a base then, I focused on the Yoruba culture. As an artist, I’ve been able to create a kind of archetype and many people have trained under me. Having understudied other great artists like Yusuf Grillo, and Jegede, I realize that one gets ahead by learning from those who are ahead and other artists. Identify whom you want to follow. I follow Onobrakpeya, through whom I’ve come to embrace duplicity without compromising originality. By this, you can make up to 10 copies of a work. The artist has no interlude like the musician. Visual art allows you to look at any idea that comes to you and run with it. Don’t say it’s not my area.” 

The research exhibition provides a great opportunity for art lovers, critics, and collectors to appreciate the fascinating work of this phenomenal artist. Kunle employs subdued colours that create a beautiful ambience for art lovers to engage with the subject matter which revolves around nature and culture. Most visitors find Adeyemi’s work captivating as it reflects colour harmony and visual coherence. The iconic artist inspires dialogue with nature, people, animals, cloth designs, and birds through his works which are presently found in different parts of the globe, including Sweden, USA, the Netherlands, and West Africa.

Explaining that artistry, colours, and texture found in Kunle’s work remarkably account for his uniqueness as a master of the art,  the Curatorial Director remarked that “His relief sculpture is in wood protruding from a flat background and the composition of the components is expressive, pulling the eyes of the viewer to focus on his subject matter, showing his artistic proficiency with his medium and demonstrated mastery of his works,” adding that “His works point us to the value of nature, our environment, and the need to preserve our cultural heritage. 

“Kunle Adeyemi would be leaving an indelible mark in a place that has nurtured, provided training and instructions to him as a student and in return, he as a teacher has impacted others immensely. The students, teachers and friends have had a beautiful relationship, leaving a lasting impression. He definitely will be solely missed in the school.”

Explaining how he managed to create a balance between the rigorous works involved in the academia and studio work over the years, Dr. Adeyemi, pinpointed discipline as a cardinal factor, saying:  “You have to be disciplined with your time, social life, relationships, and every other aspect. You need discipline to regulate what you do. Be dedicated to your work, but also make out time to rest. That is one of the things I learnt from Bruce Onobrakpeya.” Adeyemi implored aspiring artists,: “Focus on your time. Know your purpose-the primary, secondary and tertiary purposes.

 “Bruce was into so much experimentation that he became a jack of all trades and master in every aspect of visual arts. My students don’t leave me. Many of those I have shown one or two things are still very close. My purpose is to be a real art practitioner. All things being equal, I’ll increase the velocity of enlightening the students. I used to divide about 30 students into five groups with each group led by one of them so that they teach each other. We use the workshop system as a platform.”

The art exponent revealed that the upcoming exhibition will feature 40 works that centrally revolve around the cultural heritage of the Yoruba. Adeyemi further stressed: “One good thing I’ve done. Somebody is always working on my work even when I’m not around. I’ve mentored many individuals and students over the years many of whom I still collaborate with. I have also learnt a lot from other artists. I learnt about duplicity from Bruce Onobrakpeya. With that, we democratize artwork and make it affordable.” 

Asked how he would handle arts after retirement, Adeyemi enthused, “This is a good transition for me as it would enable me to refocus my practice, see and do good arts. I’ll increase in doing what I have done well and start to do more. I’ll handle arts full blown. I borrow a leaf from Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya and Kolade Oshinowo. When Onobrakpeya left teaching, he focused on his arts and became a celebraty from his studio work. Oshinowo exited at 60. Today, he is a household name. For me the studio takes priority. I’ll engage more in writing and documenting myself and what I do. My first post-retirement show is already scheduled for September 8 at the National Museum, Lagos. ”

Paintograph & Paintocast is to be held under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. Funso Isolaowa  Afolabi, Chairman, Governing Council, Yaba College of Technology with the Dean, SADP, Dr. Chinyere Ndubuisi as Host, Engr. Dayo Adetunmbi, Special Guest of Honour, and Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, Chief Host.

Although he intends to devote time to studio work, the iconic artist revealed that he would be giving back to society by teaching arts to special people such as those in correctional and rehabilitation centers. “One of the things to do is to look at the rehab centers or correctional schools and take a day in a week to teach them arts. Those children are not wasted. Art is one job that would not condone stealing because art is spiritual. By the time they stay with me for six months or more, their lives would be turned around. With time, some of them will become very useful to themselves and the society.”