By Japhet Alakam

All over the world, women occupy a very important position in the family and they ought to be celebrated, but in many homes, it is not so as despite their role, they are not recognized for their efforts. Some have become so oppressed by their husbands that they give up, while others only survive with the help of God. In reaction to most of these anomalies, many have called for a change of attitude, urging men to appreciate them for their numerous efforts. It is in recognition of this that an award winning  artist, Lateef Olajumoke is organising a solo exhibition that pays special recognition to women tagged Diaries of a rich man’s wife; an exhibition of paintings.

The exhibition which promises to showcase the vibrant and creative works of the artist is scheduled to open on Saturday,April 18th,at 5pm and will run till April 30th, 2015 at the prestigious Moor House Hotel, Ikoyi,

In the exhibition which will be curated by Chigaza Hanum of Strip of Gaza ,whose primary goal is to offer a variety of excellent professional services to discerning clients in the creative art sector, the 1998 Urban and Regional Planning graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic captures the biting reality of the often referenced tale of a metropolitan wife who loses her vibrant individualism to become the ‘Perfect Wife’.

Olajumoke deploys his craft as a vehicle to comment on socio cultural issues, he uses this pictorial composition to give us a glimpse into the life of a well heeled wife; the blessings,  the curses , the leisure and the travails.

In this outing, Lateef exhibiting his versatility in the use of different media such as pen, oil, acrylic among others, strives to accentuate the attributes of matronly quality with his seeming gallantries and well defined portraits that emanate poise, elegance and grace.

Speaking on his style and influences, Lateef says: “ “It is an African Stylized painting that embraces love, harmony and happiness in respective home and society in general. Its ideology tends to bring true love and togetherness back to many homes”

“My influence stems from the incessant break up in various homes and the continual disorder in the society has a great influence. It is as a result of finding solution to this, gave birth to my kind of art. My

environment also plays an important role. Artist like Pablo Picasso,Gustav Klimt,Tom Fedro outside the continent and people like Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya,Prof. Yusuf Grillo, El Anatsul ,Kainebi Osahenye,Duke Asidere and Tolu Aliki also influence what I do”.

Lateef Olajumoke is a Nigerian Contemporary artist who is vibrant and creative. He was born on the 23rd of June,1982. He graduated from Lagos State Polytechnic in 1998 where he studied Town and Regional Planning. He started professional art in 2010. He was runner-up in Society of Nigerian Artist art Competition 2010.. His works educate, promote and encourage unity in the Society. He has participated in several exhibitions. He resides in Lagos as a full-time studio artist.

The ‘Diaries of a rich man’s wife’ is proudly sponsored by Lagos Inland Revenue Service and Arian Capital Management Limited.