On Waiting

A while back, I was at The Maker Lab to see some artworks. This edition was titled IJE, an Igbo word that translate in English as Journey. And so it was, my journey to the exhibition, I was dragged out of bed after having slept for seven multiplied by seventy seven hours (no jokes)  by my old time friend Tunde ( I had promised to show up). Getting up to prepare for the event was another thing ( I did it reluctantly). 

Originally, I knew want to expect: people, paintings, sculptures and so many others you shouldn't know.  Trust me, I got more than I bargained for. My most striking moment was me smiling sheepishly at nude asses. 

The artist behind the art, is a mobile piece of art himself. I fancy his nose ring, his many rings on his fingers almost reaching his knuckles.  I could literally picture art in his name.  Adeoluwa Oluwajoba (The second continued from the first).I was particularly interested in why Adeoluwa had much more than nude- he had masculine nude ( yes, there is something like that). Again, I got more than I bargained for, not for once did I hear "changing narratives" and those blah blah blah.. you are sure to hear.  

I stole a chat with Adeoluwa, (this my curiosity ehn must be satisfied) . 


I made inquiries into what his works are about, he has this to say: 
My work is primarily focused on exploring human bodies and their relation to contemporary space. In my work, i utilize the physical body as a site of inquiry into socio-political, cultural and hetero-normative misconceptions on gender roles. Often referencing and incorporating texts written by myself and celebrated thinkers and authors like James Baldwin, Susan Sontag and Achille Mbembe, my work examines the varying relationship between the human body and the contemporary African society, and the ways in which these bodies exist and are occasionally policed by the toxic patriarchal system and Western imperialism.

I spoke to a few other people in the gathering, one of the responses I got when I asked about individual opinions on Adeoluwa's "On Waiting".  Inara's response was swift and void of intellectual bravado, 'they got tight asses' was the first thing she said and trust me, I laughed hard. ' I never expected to see masculine nude, mehn this guy is bold' she continued. I wasn't the only one getting surprised, obviously. 
Seun, in his opinion saw the works on masculinity as properly representing the climate and conversions around the topic. 

Adeoluwa also gave us a little peek into his next project: 
Through the agency of my alter ego ‘alice’ (an ongoing project) I also examine the ways in which minority groups designated as the ‘Other’ are marginalized in the African society and the systematic processes of silencing and acts of epistemic violence carried out against these groups especially through homophobia and misogyny.

Here is a summary of what Adeoluwa's work encompasses: 
I work primarily in the traditional sense media of acrylic on canvas, but I'm constantly looking to incorporate new, experimental media in my work

At this, I guess I am constantly looking forward to see more of Adeoluwa's paintings and.... I hope 'Alice' is not so far away? 




Story: Victoria Shida @vikky_crown
Featuring: Adeoluwa Oluwajoba @adeoluwajoba
Photo: Christopher Onah @chrisonaofficial