Onyis Martin( K.E 1987) Debuts Solo Exhibition at Out Of Africa Gallery, Barcelona

“Show me your walls and I will tell you more about yourself”- Onyis Martin

Onyis Martin (K.E 1987) has debuted his solo show at the Out Of Africa (OOA) gallery in Spain. Titled “Talking Walls,” this ongoing body of work explores major themes of communication, urbanisation, geographical change, and advertisement—realities that are deeply familiar in today’s world.

**Nº 12 – GOVERNMENT PROPERTY**, 2022.Mixed media on canvas. 110 cm H x 93.5 cm W.Image courtesy of OOA gallery.

Established in 2013, OOA Gallery has made it its mission to strengthen global connections between African artists and Europe. Through its physical and online gallery, collectors of African art can connect with artists and visit the space to enjoy curated shows. With artists such as Aboudia, Ebenezer Akinola, and Evans Mbugua, OOA Gallery is at the forefront of contemporary art on the continent.

**Nº 6 – NO IDLING ALLOWED**, 2022. Mixed media on canvas164cm H x 140cm W. Image courtesy of OOA gallery.

“Talking Walls” is Onyis’s debut solo show in Europe. It features an extensive body of work that began in 2014 during his residency in Lamu. The inspiration for this series came when he stumbled upon a door with a flyer that read Majini yauzwa hapa translates in English to, “Djinn is sold here”. This discovery instantly changed his perception of the area. Driven by themes of advertising and communication, Onyi’s created Talking Walls. Using advertisement papers he collected, along with paper collage and paint, his works become sculptural works emulating real wall surfaces. The works thereby become confrontational confronting his targeted audience.

**Nº 8901 – LADIES ARE ALWAYS RIGHT**, 2020. Mixed media on canvas,152 cm H x 111cm W. Image courtesy of OOA gallery.

Taking the wall as a literal element, his works explore how people communicate and interact with information on walls. Over the years, he has incorporated materials like iron sheets, spray paint, and printed images, adding new layers of meaning. His use of canvas to depict the geomorphology of walls directly confronts the evolution of communication and information over time.

The use of imagery and words in his work is reminiscent of Jean-Michel Basquiat and the Neo-Expressionism movement. By incorporating graffiti-inspired elements, abstract forms, bold colors, and symbolic content, his works become akin to an archaeological site, capturing a moment in time while also ushering in a new era.