Every artist
subjects himself to influences from existing norms, and subsequently, strives
to create an identifiable personal signature. Such a signature redefines the artist,
which is authentic, and true to the artist, and represents a seamless amalgamation
of technique, style and theme. It
is in the light of this that versatile artist;
Sobayo Abolore, dedicated endless hours in order to create stunning artworks.
His first solo
exhibition titled Room for Three will
open next week Saturday, November 14, at Red Door Gallery, 51B, Bishop Oluwale
Street, Vitoria Island, Lagos, by 2pm. The exhibition to his “is a tale of three
decades of expedition, driven by passion, creativity and active participation
in three different professions,” art, politics and fashion.
Viewer will be seeing art,
fashion and politics which inspired Room
for Three. Abolore
cultural
connection to his roots is emphasized in his works by his use of African fabric
(adire), whose origin can be traced to the south western of Nigeria, where he
is from.
His
paintings reposition the adire fabric,
showcasing a different way it could be used asides wearables. The fabric to him
serves as the background of most of his paintings. Some of his paintings also
delve into our history and heritage, serving as archival materials for the
future.
Abolore has
successfully recreated some of the old styles of the Yoruba outfit into modern
day wears, using adire fabric, blend
of linen and unique African motives to propagate his stunning designs, which he
will showcase in this exhibit. The exhibition according him to will throw some
light on the under utilization of this fabric, as it can serve as a source of
job creation, improve export and revenue generation.
He tries to use art in educating
people about “the bottom up” approach to rebuilding the nation, by trying to
explain the role of the government at the grassroots level, an area which members
of the community seem to be ignorant of.
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