From July 10 to 12, 2009, The Ben Enwonwu Foundation (BEF) will present Beyond Figuration, an exhibition of non-figurative works by some outstanding Nigerian artists. The exhibition will be held at the Omenka Gallery in Ikoyi and will be opened by Yemi Odusolu, the managing director of Cornerstone Insurance.
The exhibition features over 30 works by Busayo Lawal, Gbolahan Ayoola, Tony Nsofor and Joseph Eze. Other artists are Norbert Okpu, Benedict Olorunnisomo, Wale Alimi, Uchay Joel-Chima, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, George Edozie, Tayo Olayode, Mukaila Ayoade and Uche Igwe.
Jess Castellote, curator of the exhibition asserts: “Beyond Figuration will…explore recent works by artists (particularly young ones) that produce art that is not concerned primarily with representation, mimetism, symbolism or graphic languages. There are not many of them in Nigeria, but a few are there.. Some of them, like Gbolahan Ayoola produce works that have a great lyrical quality, others, like Uchay Joel Chima show concern for materiality and texture, others like Benedict Olorunnisomo create highly personal worlds. All of them try to go beyond representation.”
Castellote has established a presence on the Lagos exhibition circuit having promoted the work of several emerging talents from Nigeria for over 20 years.
Through solo, group and themed exhibitions, the Omenka Gallery examines in an experimental and research-minded way, contemporary art developments and discourses in Nigeria. The gallery seeks to promote new forms of representation such as video, film, digital art, performance, installation and photography, beyond the all too familiar and well-represented themes of market scenes, traditional and rural landscapes.