From November 28 to December 12, 2015, Omenka Gallery will present Yet Another Place, a solo exhibition of recent work by emerging sculptor Richardson Ovbiebo.
The works in this exhibition begin with the artist’s acute observations of his surroundings in mixed media, including found and custom-made objects. An example is the series Street Code, where for the first time in his career, Ovbiebo has integrated text. Rendered as letters cut from Perspex, the included words highlight phrases found around Lagos and those that are frequently used when discussing Lagos. In addition to this new visual language through which he revisits the social dynamics that drive his practice, he continues to demonstrate a commitment to metal by repurposing everyday objects. Collectively, these works consider how language and mundane objects define people and the spaces they occupy. Further, they present a record of today’s communities and interactions therein. Though the artist’s work and practice are informed by an array of influences, his principal reference is Lagos and specifically Somolu, where he lives and works.
Since graduating in 2007 from Yaba College of Technology as a sculptor, Ovbiebo has participated in various group exhibitions at Omenka Gallery (Lagos), the Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos, and Terra Kulture. In addition, he has recently taken part in a residency in the US (Vermont studio centre 2015), projects in Miami (Nigeria Now), Accra (Red Heritage), and Cameroon (Ravy Art Festival 2012). He has been awarded several prizes, which include the First Prize at the Nigerian Breweries and African Artists’ Foundation National Art Competition (2009) and First Prize at the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria and African Artist Foundation Exhibition (2009).