LAGOS, NIGERIA – Judging from the multi-faceted exhibition at Nomadic Art Gallery this month, “Enlightenment” takes many forms as evidenced by the diversity of works by Nigerian multi-media artist, Dudu Emmanuel, whose solo exhibition with Nomadic Art Gallery is bound to evoke emotions.In the exhibition, that features Dudu’s work spanning the recent pre- and post-Covid years, the artist skilfully presents the multi-facets of experiencing, being or becoming “Enlightened” ranging from the often inexplicable clarity triggered by the touch of an innocent child, to events dramatically exposing inequities and injustice, to the wisdom accumulated in the old sage. The vast – at times philosophical – interpretation of the all-encompassing word “Enlightened” is front and centre at Dudu Emmanuel’s solo-exhibition, whose playful works frequently, depicting human traits or current events, can be found in private collections incl. that of the King of Morocco in Rabat.
Image courtesy of Nomadic Gallery
“This particular body of works is very important to me” explains Dudu Emmanuel and continues, “It very much represents how I feel at this point of time in my life. “Enlightened” is the perfect term for it. It applies to how I feel as an artist, a Nigerian and a global citizen. As a contemporary artist, I firmly believe that I have an obligation to articulate, transfer and evoke sentiments related to environmental, political, social, or cultural issues that strike a chord with my audiences. It is my hope that this solo exhibition will achieve exactly that”.
Image courtesy of Nomadic Gallery
Some of the works on display are vibrant paintings on canvas while others have been subjected to a creative process that Dudu Emmanuel’s refers to as transmutation – a term usually used in the sciences to explain the process of a specie evolving from one form to another. The process includes recycling of wastepaper and carton integrated in mixed media compositions taking advantage of pre-printed branded designs, print or pigments. The results are thought-provoking art with environmental undertones that unambiguously highlights the urgency in resolving issues of consumption and waste and introduce alternative uses of packaging.
Image courtesy of Nomadic Gallery
Dudu Emmanuel is born in 1974 in Benin City, Edo State. He holds a bachelor’s degree in visual arts from the University of Lagos and has more than 30 exhibitions to his name. His exhibition with Nomadic Art Gallery is the first post-covid solo exhibition.
The Nomadic Art Gallery has since 2016 been on a mission to provide African art and artists on the continent and in diaspora a strong voice and visibility in Africa and beyond, pioneering what NAG refers to as “the Afrobeat of Contemporary Art”. The non-conformist gallery has for years collaborated with BoConcept Africa showcasing African art in the company of Scandinavian designs, highlighting the complementarity of the two distinct aesthetics. “Art meets Design” exhibitions have held in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Nairobi.
The exhibition runs from 30th September to 21st October 2023 from Monday through Saturday at Nomadic Art Gallery located at 22 Adetokunbo Ademola Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Additional information can be found on Nomadic Art Gallery on: www.nomadic-art.com
For further information please contact
Contact:Ms. Mercy Imiegha
Gallery Director
Tel: 0814 003 4651
E-mail: mercy@nomadic-art.com
