By JAPHET ALAKAM

Nigeria is blessed with many talented artists, but the environment in which they operate somehow make it difficult for them to develop and maximise their potentials. This is partly due to the level of art appreciation in the country and the way and manner gallery owners milk them to better their ways. But one gallery that support and represent the artist very well is the Alexis gallery located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The gallery has been doing that through providing a platform for them to exhibit their works in a favourable condition and also by signing some of them who they promote and protect their interest. And poised to continue with the good work, the gallery recently organised a group exhibition for five of the artists they signed The exhibition tagged Fate, an exhibition of paintings and mixed media which opened yesterday at the gallery and is expected to run till November 22, 2014 will feature over 40 works of five young talented artists from different background. The exhibiting artists are; Tyna Adebowale, Darlington A. Chukwumezie, Akhile Ehifora, Yemi Uthman and Raji Mohammed.

The unique exhibition which is co-curated by George Edozie and Patty Chidac Masttrogiannis can be seen as a decent platform of presenting their works to the public. According to them, “it is special because the prizes of the works are decent, making it affordable for people to buy. In fact we are trying to keep a sanity in the art market” They noted.

Speaking about the theme. The artists who were all happy for the opportunity given to them explained that most of the things that happen in life are just an act of fate which is in line with the theme of the exhibition. They see Fate as a destination, as it was fate that brought them together. And some of the works displayed addressed the theme of the exhibition, such works include the Busy bus stop; Light bearer; Rituals,Shore etc. while others addressed varied issues affecting the country. They include, Yellow wood 1&2, Pathway 1&2 by Akhile, Devotion, Impression sunrise Travel by Darlington, Somewhere in Ikire, Nomadic, Ebute by Uthman, The young prince, Sisters helping hand, Peace by Raji, Landscape 1&2, That aura, Rituals series by Tyna.

Speaking about their works, young and talented Tyna Adebowale who happens to be the only lady among them said that her works deal with issues concerning female body. How the female body could be victimised or not, though some of them celebrate women too. For example, the piece Rituals 7, t talks about the rituals women go through everyday to look beautiful. To her it is fate that made them to be women and as such they have to take care of themselves.

For Darlington Chukwuemezie, who said that transforming space in his environment is one of his core area says his works showcase the beautiful African aesthetic with bright colours.

Adeyemi Uthman’s works reflects on the activities of people living in the riverine areas. He said that the people living in the riverine areas found themselves their by fate, and that their lifestyle moves him each time he come in contact with them and this is reflected in one of his works titled Shore, which shows how the people gather and celebrate every evening when they come back from the days activities. For Auchi trained Akhile Ehiforia, who specialises in landscape, “I paint what I see around me for example the changing landscape of Oshodi and the rooftops in my locality where I grew up.”

For Raji Mohammed Babatunde, who confessed that he feel fulfilled with figurative said “I paint portrait and anything figurative.” To him, the theme of the exhibition is real as most of the things that come ones way is by fate and that is reflected in one of his works titled Light bearer, a boy carrying a traditional lantern, it was fate that made it so because he did not envisage that as if there was light, he would’nt have carried that for illumination.

As usual, the exhibition which brought out the creative ingenuity of the artists is promoted by Alexis Galleries’ sponsors, has the backing of other loving organisations like: Leventis, Litho-Chrome The Homestores , Art Café, Veuve Clicquot, wazobia FM, Nigeria info and cool Fm, Wazobia TV, Cool TV, The Avenue Suites, arra vineyards and ISN Internet Solutions Nigeria Limited.