What does proximity mean to you? How does proximity impact different subjects in different environments? Well, the show at Bode Gallery features three African artists showing a deeper examination of proximity. Titled: So Close, Yet So Far, the exhibition examines how we engage with the expressive personas of seven modern artists. Each artwork embodies a distinct expression, with its unique language, it facilitates both physical and introspective self-exploration. Together with three other artists from the US, their works brought the vision of the theme. Let’s examine the three African artist’s work in detail, shall we?
Tonia Nneji
Tonia Nneji is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist who examines the concept of suppression and silence on physical and mental health. She also examines the sexual autonomy of the subject to her own experiences. Her bright, boldly patterned canvases, integrated with melancholic themes, evoke feelings of optimism and resilience. Nneji often depicts blue-hued figures, alone or in groups, draped in intricate textiles signifying Nigerian society’s socioeconomic and religious status. These textiles hold personal meaning, as Nneji’s mother sold valuable fabrics to pay for her medical bills. Her artwork,’ The welcoming minister, showcased at the exhibition, delves into body forms and textile materials. It examines cultural and social meanings in contemporary African societies. She investigates the protective aspects of clothing, subject to traditional Nigerian culture.
Muofhe Manavhela
Muofhe Manavhela is a 23-year-old multidisciplinary artist born in Limpopo. She currently lives and works in South Africa, captivating the ever-evolving journey of a young black woman in Africa’s ‘ mecca’. Her artworks draw inspiration from the likes of Andy Warhol and Lady Skollie as she represents the daily lives of the young black woman. Her main mediums include print, embroidery, and painting as she tries to show freedom, pleasure, and African women’s domesticity in South Africa. Just last year, she debuted with a solo show at the ‘Project Space Africa’ with an exhibition titled: “The Human Experience”. Her artworks seamlessly find a place across diverse contexts. She describes her work as an exploration of her experiences, delving into the complexities and nuances of being a 23-year-old young African woman. Through her art, she navigates and reflects on moments within her life, shaping her growth and identity.
Deborah Segun
Lastly, we have Deborah. Deborah Segun is a Nigerian artist, who employs a deconstructed and reductive style in her paintings. Her paintings may remind you of cubism as she uses fragmented and exaggerated shapes and forms to depict contemplative or resting female figures. Segun’s work critiques the representation of women in art history. She particularly focuses on the omission of black women, drawing inspiration from the Venus of Willendorf’s proportions and Picasso’s multi-perspectival views. Additionally, she depicts contemporary portrayals of the African female form similarly adopting a deconstructed and vibrant approach, imbued with socio-political meaning.
For now, Segun’s work remains introspective, as many artists introspect before addressing external matters. Drawing from personal experiences and her understanding of her own mental and physical self, Segun’s focus on the individual becomes a reference for broader themes: transitions, phases, and issues faced by women, both African and otherwise. These vibrant yet cryptic and guarded works serve as a visual diary, showcasing the artist’s evolution within a larger context. Segun’s practice challenges reality and seeks alternative positions in contemporary art and society.
The show is still going on till the 16th of July. Be sure to view the works of these amazing artists at the Bode Gallery. if you are vacationing in Berlin this summer, click here to see the catalog and the works of these artists.
