Being invited to an exclusive art exhibition like this can transport one to the world of the unknown where creativity meets philosophy. The sheer beauty of Temple Muse, venue for the exhibition blends perfectly with the quality of works on display.
‘Lagos Connection’, is an exciting new exhibition of multi-media art works by social advocate Uchay Joel Chima and Nigerian new comer, Jimmy UcheNwanne, which opens at Temple Muse on October 27th up until November 25th curated by Sandra Mbanefo Obiago.
Connections presents two artists whose subtle lines and texture, kinetic color and unique materiality to bring the vibrant Lagos art scene closer to the global need to keep connected, linked and inter-dependent. The body of 37 expertly crafted works on canvas and wood are fresh expressions by two artists whose world view touches on important social issues including gender equality, girl child education, and security.
Mid-career artist Uchay Joel Chima graduated from the Institute of Management & Technology in Enugu in 1997 majoring in painting, and has had numerous successful shows and art residencies in Canada, the United States and Europe. His works were featured at the Museum of African Culture in Maine, USA this year, and have been part of numerous international auctions including Bonhams in the UK. A fulltime studio artist since 2005, Chima’s award winning experimental works include painting, sculpture and video art; in Connections, he presents intricate and delicately drawn human figures created out of string on subtle color backgrounds.
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“I have been drawing since my early years;” says Uchay Joel Chima. “I wouldn’t call any of my work my best because you can call a particular child your best. But my materials are symbolic, I have used charcoal to represent the black gold in Niger Delta and also Ashes of Yesterday on display, I have used charcoal to discuss issues and depict situations, I have also used charcoal to depict light situation in the country. I also work with strings they are symbolic and depict oneness and bonding, my works done with strings are No Strings Attached, Damsels in the hood, three sisters have all portrayed my works with string.”
Chima is doing ajoint exhibition with Jimmy Uche Nwanne, a Germany based Nigerian artist who graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka with a degree in fine and applied arts in 2010. In Connections he presents large portraits of people in thought and motion on finely textured canvases that come alive with an amazing application of color and finely inscribed poetry. Nwanne deftly highlights different aspects of the human condition such as dreams, liberation, despair as well as competition through emotionally charged poses.
Jimmy Uche nwanne says of the exhibition and his works: “as a painter I realised I wanted to be a painter after school even though most people wouldn’t advise you not to do so, in this show all my works appeal to me. I like to talk about themes that are common around us and that are what forms what I do. Like my painting: Tomorrow which I used oil on canvas to draw the image of a boy thinking also and Nation Building a drawing of a girl writing which supports girl child education. What we live around I often draw about what is happening in the society so as to be a voice. “
Chima’s subtle figure drawings alongside his chunky, heavy newspaper and charcoal diptychs juxtapose seamlessly with Nwanne’s intense paint dripped canvases which have a dense, heavy quality,” explained Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, the exhibition’s curator. “Connections is our third show this year in which we have showcased Nigerian artists active here and in the Diaspora,” he adds.
Connections is a body of work created by two Nigerian artist, one Joey Chima who graduated in 1997 and the other one Uche Nwanne who graduated in 2010, I am very delighted to have them because they are very unique techniques and show artistic dexterity from different points of views. Both of these artist works are beautifully created because their works compliment each other’s, you can also see the works of artist in Diaspora. I felt would be a good compliment to combine both artist and showcase their works: said Sandra Mbanefo Obiago the art curator for Temple Muse
“We are proud to showcase Chima’s amazing experimental art and host Nwanne’s first exhibition in Nigeria,” added Temple Muse Director, Avinash Wadhwani, whose design and fashion concept store is gaining international recognition with recent coverage inthe New York Times and Vogue Magazine.
Connections which is supported by Ruinart and will be on display until November 25th, will undoubtedly strengthen Lagos’ reputation as one of the world’s twelve most exciting new art destination.
MARY OCHUGBUA
