This exhibition takes place from 9th March 2023 – 8th April 2023 at Dorothy Circus London, 35 Connaught Street, London, W2 2AZ
Dorothy Circus Gallery, London presents a solo exhibition by Nigerian painter and sculptor Samson Bakare. The exhibition presents “Let this be a Sign” which consists of a brand new collection of African male and female portraits painted on canvas and sculptures with evocative visual impact.
The artist explores the connection between art and both physical and temporal space to depict the idea of harmony and unity in the forefront. With metaphysics in place, the concept of art is regarded as a time machine on stage and inspires visitors to look beyond the pieces that are displayed.
On a psychedelic canvas, Bakare’s works captivate both the viewer’s attention and their thoughts. They offer us alluring plastic illusions and invite us to participate in a game of representation that is both figurative and abstract, in which we become lost in space and time. The artist’s sympathetic googly eyes guide us in a transversal interpretation of time. In a leap of intuition and originality for a narrative of art and the depth of the human mind that is repeating and cyclical, we find ourselves authors with Bakare of a new writing of the Black Cultural Figuration, starting from his cultural roots while keeping an eye on the future.
The artist gives colour a central place in his search of harmony by using a distinctively exuberant, floral-inspired palette. The rich compositions, distinguished by a vibrant mixture of shades, compose before our eyes in kaleidoscopic patterns that embed and mix with the human figure in search of the ideal balance between collectivism and individualism, which, according to Bakare, is fundamental to promoting an inclusive community. Through his works, Bakare takes us on an investigation into the psychological effects of colour, in opposition to the traditional stereotypes associated with its use and enjoyment according to gender, in a reference to the laws of potential differences and challenging the status quo, with this audacious chromatic game.
The study of colour in Bakare’s art has its roots in Pop Art as well as Impressionism and Dadaism, and it also relates to comics and manga, which the artist admires and regards as a source of inspiration for young artists. The portrait is the most represented form of expression in his art, with strong roots dating back to the Coptic art of East Africa and the NOK art of Nigeria. However, Bakare defines himself as a multidisciplinary artist, whose ever-evolving technique aims to remain versatile and free, embodying the spirit of his era without limits. In a continuous tension to use new techniques and new tools, borrowed from illustration, street art, and all contemporary movements, Bakare’s painting returns to a narrative pictorial result of great impact, deep and rich in levels of consistency.
“Let This Be a Sign” marks a significant moment in the global art market as it recognizes the great potential of contemporary African art. Bakare’s unique and profound style, linked to a message of equality and freedom, resonates with pride both among major institutions and private collectors. Represented in a regal posture, Bakare’s portraits embody the statement of our century, which rediscovers social dignity by restoring its position in the future to the black population it deserves.
About The Artist:
Samson Bakare (b.1993) is a Nigerian artist of multiple disciplines that graduated from the school of Art, Yaba College of Technology.
Bakare’s art is deeply inspired by his father, an architect in the city of Lagos who was responsible of encouraging his son since a young age to pursue his creative journey.
After training under the tutelage of prominent and veteran Nigerian artists such as Abiodun Olaku, Raji Babatunde, Edosa Oguigo, and Ejoh Wallace, Bakare develped his own artistic research and signature style which centers around the propagation of black identity and values in both contemporary and retrospective context while representing historical scenes.
His narrative covers portraits of African men and women with blank expressions as they strive for cultural emancipation. Samson states that his work is “a time machine through which you can see the past and behold the future from the same stand point.”
The East African Coptic art has been the influence in his exploration, even as the theme and subject remains a hybrid of classicism and stylization which he calls Afro-classicism. In his artistic output Samson has depicted several satirical portrait pieces attempting to review the excesses of British-imperialism and racial equality.
Through his career Bakare has done several collaborations as an exiting one with Gucci in 2022. Samson was chosen by Alessandro Michele together with some other artists to represent the iconic Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag with his remarkable style distinguished by bright colors interpreting his personal vision of the bag in an exquisite bourgeois boho setting.
About The Gallery:
Dorothy Circus Gallery is a space dedicated to the figurative avant-gardes in contemporary art. The gallery brings together international established and up and coming artists from the worlds of Painting, Sculpture, Photography and Street Art, selected for their compelling visual languages and intriguing correlation to Pop iconography, New Surrealism and Magic Realism.
