Ayotunde Ojo presents his upcoming exhibition of paintings titled ‘These Four Walls’ which moves between the idea of consciousness and unconsciousness, exploring the liminal qualities of memory and space as well as dreaming and waking. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, the artist’s work is rooted in the familiar context of domestic life. The paintings expand into emotional and imaginative realms, exploring how these transient moments shape perceptions. ‘These Four Walls’ is Ojo’s debut solo exhibition and is rooted in a series of works he completed at Southern Guild’s GUILD Residency in Cape Town earlier this year.
The paintings exude a quiet and restrained elegance. The still and solitary figures lie over furniture or occupy themselves in the rituals of daily life such as reading a book, washing the dishes, ironing clothes or scrolling on their phones. The colours are muted, as if viewing the scenes through a hazy veil. These works convey a sense of calm and contemplation like a deep exhale. The paintings are methodically constructed and accrue their depth from Ojo’s sensitive approach to his materials, this is shown in the thin films of paint hovering over areas as well as the fine graphite linework just visible beneath. In some places the form dissolves completely to reveal the raw canvas; elsewhere the paint runs with abandon.
One of the paintings Ayotunde Ojo showcases in ‘These Four Walls’ is titled ‘Untitled (Self-Portrait)’ and is of a man sitting at a small round table engrossed by the objects in front of him. Behind the curling metal arm of the chair, the lower half of his body is only barely painted while before him the tablescape is rendered with vivid clarity. Just visible in an adjoining room, a woman is adjusting herself in a dressing table mirror. The figures are self-contained, independent of one another yet coexisting in comfort, reinforcing a duality the artist invites his viewers to explore. Ojo began painting during the COVID-19 lockdown four years ago and has found significance in representations of repose, drawing inspiration from conversations, experiences and canonical works by historical artists. He is interested in the idea of rest and introspection, particularly as a break from the chaos and intensity of everyday life in Lagos. The act of painting and the scenes he depicts are an antidote to “the need to constantly be on your toes and on guard trying to exist under harsh conditions”.
Ojo delves into the intricate tapestry of human emotions and the profound dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Inspired by the subtleties of intimate moments and the nuanced language of gestures, his work transcends representation to suggest possibilities for a different future. ‘These Four Walls’ shows people as just being – uninhibited and absorbed in the task at hand – as if having shed their skin to enter another realm. Their presence is an invitation to a collective sense of ease that emanates from a lightness of touch. The exhibition opens on the 14th of November 2024 and will run until the 27th of February 2025. ‘These Four Walls’ will run concurrently with Chuma Maweni‘s solo exhibition iMvelaphi.
