By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor

There are basically three things in the creative picture titled “Harmony in nature: A community among giants”. There is the human settlement, the imposing rock, and the infinite sky. Apart from the beauty it creates, the art tells a story of interdependence and interconnectedness.

Ifeoluwapo Rachael Okunade’s photographic artwork centers on the environment. Her visual narrative tells of the relationship between humanity and nature. Her pieces, “Beauty wrapped in colours – Lobanika” and Harmony in nature: A community among giants” are reflections of her advocacy for healthy environment using the medium of art. The two works are a blend of sermon on environmental awareness and cultural narratives.

Although not clearly defined as in the other photograph, themes of environment also emerge in “Beauty wrapped in colours – Lobanika” through Ifeoluwapo’s use of natural motifs and colours that evoke in one, a deep connection to nature. The cloak, imbued with patterns of flower, can be interpreted as symbols of the protective and nurturing qualities of our forests.

In the picture, the cloak wraps the human figure, just as our forests and oceans wrap our fragile and delicate earth. The combination of blues, reds, golds, and blacks in the background speaks to the diversity of our environment.

The fusion of traditional and abstract elements in “Beauty wrapped in colours…” inspires the viewers to reflect  on both our cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. Ifeoluwapo’s emphasis on sustainability in her work further highlights this artwork’s broader message: our bond with nature must be maintained because it is from the natural environment we derive our cultural identity. This message reinforces the view that without the environment, there would be little or no art, culture and tourism.

“Harmony in nature: A community among giants” presents a picture of peaceful coexistence between human life and the natural world. The artist captures a community seemingly hidden beneath massive rock formations. It cuts a clear image of resilience and harmony between humans and their environment. The rooftops in different shapes, the lush green grass that grows from the ground and spreads over the rugged rocks, and the serene sky, speak to a balanced ecosystem. It is an ecosystem where humanity is not separate from the environment, but an integral part of it.

Ifeoluwapo’s environmental philosophy is probably captured in this “Harmony in nature: A community among giants” than elsewhere. The image speaks loudly about the importance of humans living in harmony with their natural environment, instead of unsustainably exploiting and disrupting it. “Harmony in nature: A community among giants” also embodies the artist’s belief in sustainable development: the use of natural resources in such a way that the needs of present generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

In “Harmony in nature: A community among giants”, Ifeoluwapo places natural elements such as the massive rock as central characters instead of mere backdrops. That sends an urgent message on the need for humans in today’s world to be environmentally conscious in the midst of expanding destructive human activities.

Together, these works testify to Ifeoluwapo’s role as an environmental advocate through art. Her works, generally, are blends of ethical and eco-friendly photographs, all aimed at encouraging environmental consciousness and cultural preservation. She draws viewers’ attentions to the delicate interconnectedness between humans and nature, urging us all to go beyond appreciation of the esthetics and participate in the protection and nurturing of that vital relationship between man and nature.

By making ecological themes central in her compositions, Ifeoluwapo expands the visual language of environmental art, urging us to not only reflect on it, but to also take action. Her work is a celebration of the diversity of our dear environment, and a reminder to all of us about the responsibility we have to preserve it for future generations.

As her artistic philosophy, Ifeoluwapo believes that “true beauty lies not only in what we see, but in what we feel.” Some of her projects and exhibitions include “Portraits of Many Selves and dual identity”, “Face Calligraphy”, Whisper in motion: The Blur of Memory and self”, “Reflections of light and soul”, etc.

Ifeoluwapo Rachael Okunade has a BTech in Accounting from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria.  She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Rae Art Gallery which she aspires to nurture into an international brand and creative hub for visual storytelling.