Tunji Adeniyi-Jones in Conversation with Victor Ehikhamenor, Gbolahan Ayoola, and Temitayo Ogunbiyi
Interwoven Histories convened contemporary artists Victor Ehikhamenor, Gbolahan Ayoola, curator and artist Temitayo Ogunbiyi, and figurative painter Tunji Adeniyi-Jones. The event marked the conclusion of Adeniyi-Jones’ residency at G.A.S. Lagos, a period of research, exploration and introspection that has provided opportunities to connect with and draw inspiration from the burgeoning local arts and culture ecosystem.
The hour-long discussion offered insight into the studio practices, methodologies and careers of some of the most important artists working in Nigeria today. Together with the panellists, Adeniyi-Jones considered the wider context of their work intersected with the personal and collective histories that bind them, whilst questioning how culture continually shapes moments of inspiration for those practicing within the country as well as its global sprawling diaspora.
Event Details
Date: Friday, April 28th, 2023
Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue: G.A.S. Lagos, 9b, Hakeem Dickson Dr, off T.F. Kuboye Road, Oniru.
ABOUT TUNJI ADENIYI-JONES
Tunji Adeniyi-Jones (b. 1992, London, United Kingdom) is an artist living and working in New York, NY. Adeniyi-Jones received a BFA from The Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, in 2014, and an MFA from Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT, in 2017.
Recent solo exhibitions include Emergent Properties, Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, New York, NY (2022); Voix Intérieures, White Cube, Paris, France (2022); That Which Binds Us, White Cube Bermondsey, London, United Kingdom (2021); Melodic Virtues, Morán Morán, Los Angeles, CA (2021); among others. His work has been included in numerous group exhibitions, including In Our Time: Selections from the Singer Collection, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, AZ (2022); Out of the Fire: The 14th Dakar Biennale, Senegal (2022); Fire Figure Fantasy: Selections from the ICA Miami’s Collection, ICA Miami, FL (2022); All Things Bright and Beautiful, Birmingham Museum of Art, AL (2022); among others. Adeniyi-Jones’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Aishti Foundation, Lebanon; the Dallas Museum of Art, TX; the Nasher Museum of Art, Durham, NC; Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL; The Studio Museum, Harlem, NY; among others.
Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, image courtesy of the artist.
Victor Ehikhamenor is a Nigerian-American visual artist, photographer and writer known for his vibrant and incisive works that engage with African cultural heritage, its resonance within the global African diaspora, and the postcolonial politics of his native Nigeria.
He was born in Udomi-Uwessan, Edo State. He has BA degree in English and Literary Studies from Ambrose Ali University. He also holds an MS in Technology Management and MFA in Creative Writing from University Of Maryland, College Park, USA. Ehikhamenor’s work has been exhibited worldwide, including at the first Nigerian Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017. He has also been included in solo and group exhibitions at museums, galleries, and biennials including the Pinakothek Der Moderne (Munich, Germany), Fondacion Blachere (France), Lehmann Maupin Gallery (New York), St. Paul’s Cathedral, (London, UK) Tyburn Gallery (London, UK); Rele Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria); Retro Africa (Abuja, Nigeria) the 5th Mediations Biennale (Poznan, Poland), the 12th Dak’art Biennale (Dakar, Senegal),Stellenbosch Triennale, (South Africa) Biennale Jogja XIII (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) etc.
Victor Ehikhamenor, Photo ©️ Victor Ehikhamenor
GBOLAHON AYOOLA
Ayoola Gbolahan (b. 1977) is a gifted and prolific visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. He received his education in Fine Art from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Following his education, Ayoola completed a residency with renowned Nigerian painter, Tola Wewe. His works have been included in solo and group shows spanning the length of 2 decades. These include exhibitions at home in Nigeria and in the global space. He has received numerous awards including the “54 Nigerian Art Masters" from the Greek Embassy. In 2010, he emerged as the winner of The National Art Competition organised by the African Artists' Foundation. The artist's works can be found in major corporate and private collections across the globe. His works are also included in reputable collections such as the World Bank in Washington USA, African Finance Corp, Nigeria and The Nigerian National Gallery of Arts. He garners continuous inspiration through the study of human anthropology and the exploration of spirituality. Since art is sacred to him, if he cannot see a future piece through visions, he will not paint. Gbolahan’s abstract expressionist and surrealist compositions are created using acrylics, pastels, pencils and charcoal.
Portrait, Gbolahon Ayoola. Photo via O'da Gallery.
TEMITAYO OGUNBIYI
Temitayo Ogunbiyi is a Nigerian-American artist and curator living and working in Lagos. Ogunbiyi is a graduate of Princeton and Columbia Universities, where she studied Visual Art and Curatorial Studies and Critical Art Theory, respectively. She has recently had works included in exhibitions at the Van Abbemuseum (2022-24), Para Site (2022), the 12th Berlin Biennale (2022), Tiwani Contemporary (Lagos (2022); London (2016); the Madre Museum (2020), TOR Art Space (2019), Biennale Jogja (2015); Pulitzer Art Foundation, St. Louis (2012); and the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (2012). She has curated exhibitions for the National Museum of African Art (Smithsonian Institute); the United Nations World Trade Organization, and across several venues in Lagos. She previously served as Head of Curatorial at ART X Collective Lagos. Ogunbiyi is a Director at Guest Artists Space Foundation.
Portrait, Temitayo Ogunbiyi, Photo ©️ G.A.S. Foundation.