Oluwole Omofemi
Oluwole Omofemi begins his debut solo exhibition with Out of Africa Gallery, to describe him as a generational artist would be considered not only a matter of fact, but also an understatement.
Much like the post World War II abstract expressionism artists, such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman, Omofemi’s rise to contemporary art stardom is rooted in the turbulent and revolutionary socio-political environment of the past, as well as in the times he now lives, and works in.
Born in 1988, and hailing from the inner streets of South Ibadan, Nigeria, Omofemi's humble beginnings and steep ascent to the pinnacle of the contemporary African art scene is nothing short of inspirational. Readily identified by his neighbours and community as a promising artist from his early childhood, Omofemi would later use the proceeds he would gain from hawking beer, as part of the every day grind of living in Ibadan, to buy sketch books and art materials to facilitate and incubate his passion.
However, it wasn't the hustle and bustle of life in the vibrant Ibadan metropolis nor the early signs of his natural gift for creativity and art that would inform what would later make Omofemi one of the most serious and influential artists of his generation. That great honour and tribute is owed to his grandfather, whom Omofemi was deeply fond of, and influenced by. It was his grandfather's wisdom and guidance that impressed upon the young artist the importance of the preservation of culture, heritage and ancient customs, and instilled in the artist an appreciation for self love, pride, and determination, which today he captures and translates on his canvas through his endearing and masterful portraits.
Indeed, Omofemi's work has always elevated his subjects, most of whom are either friends and relatives of his, or strangers he encounters. Pride, self esteem, authenticity, and heritage, are all key, recurring motifs that weave together the entirety of his oeuvre, often manifested in his honorific, striking portraits of independent black women, crowned either with halo-esque afros, cornrow braids, or completely bald, 'sakora' hairstyles, indigenous to, and ubiquitous amongst his fellow compatriots, and dating back a millennia.
Inspired in part by the lyrics of Grammy award winner, Alicia Key's, iconic single, 'A Woman's Worth', the singer muses that... 'a real man, knows a real woman when he sees her....and a real man just can't deny a woman's worth'.
To this end, 'A Woman's Worth' the solo exhibition is by all intents and purposes an extension of Omofemi's ongoing narration, musings and reflections on what it is to be a woman of note, self respect and integrity, through the lens of a black man, striving to not only uplift his fellow sisters, but also to hold his fellow black brothers to account to encourage and promote that they do the same.
Oluwole Omofemi begins his debut solo exhibition with Out of Africa Gallery, to describe him as a generational artist would be considered not only a matter of fact, but also an understatement.
Much like the post World War II abstract expressionism artists, such as Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman, Omofemi’s rise to contemporary art stardom is rooted in the turbulent and revolutionary socio-political environment of the past, as well as in the times he now lives, and works in.
Born in 1988, and hailing from the inner streets of South Ibadan, Nigeria, Omofemi's humble beginnings and steep ascent to the pinnacle of the contemporary African art scene is nothing short of inspirational. Readily identified by his neighbours and community as a promising artist from his early childhood, Omofemi would later use the proceeds he would gain from hawking beer, as part of the every day grind of living in Ibadan, to buy sketch books and art materials to facilitate and incubate his passion.
However, it wasn't the hustle and bustle of life in the vibrant Ibadan metropolis nor the early signs of his natural gift for creativity and art that would inform what would later make Omofemi one of the most serious and influential artists of his generation. That great honour and tribute is owed to his grandfather, whom Omofemi was deeply fond of, and influenced by. It was his grandfather's wisdom and guidance that impressed upon the young artist the importance of the preservation of culture, heritage and ancient customs, and instilled in the artist an appreciation for self love, pride, and determination, which today he captures and translates on his canvas through his endearing and masterful portraits.
Indeed, Omofemi's work has always elevated his subjects, most of whom are either friends and relatives of his, or strangers he encounters. Pride, self esteem, authenticity, and heritage, are all key, recurring motifs that weave together the entirety of his oeuvre, often manifested in his honorific, striking portraits of independent black women, crowned either with halo-esque afros, cornrow braids, or completely bald, 'sakora' hairstyles, indigenous to, and ubiquitous amongst his fellow compatriots, and dating back a millennia.
Inspired in part by the lyrics of Grammy award winner, Alicia Key's, iconic single, 'A Woman's Worth', the singer muses that... 'a real man, knows a real woman when he sees her....and a real man just can't deny a woman's worth'.
To this end, 'A Woman's Worth' the solo exhibition is by all intents and purposes an extension of Omofemi's ongoing narration, musings and reflections on what it is to be a woman of note, self respect and integrity, through the lens of a black man, striving to not only uplift his fellow sisters, but also to hold his fellow black brothers to account to encourage and promote that they do the same.
