The walls of Wunika Mukan Gallery are currently adorned with the oil compositions of Nigerian artist Chijioke Anyacho in the presentation of his new body of work. Entitled "Art Salon: Chijioke Anyacho," the exhibition which runs from July 6 to July 20, 2024, invites viewers into a world of deconstructed moments, where everyday experiences are explored through a lens of vulnerability, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics.
Anyacho, a sculptor by training, brings a unique perspective to his oil paintings. His canvases become stages for fragmented narratives, capturing fleeting emotions and the unspoken yearnings of the human spirit. The use of deconstruction allows him to infiltrate deeper, revealing the raw undercurrents that often lie beneath the surface of our daily lives.
A recurring theme in the exhibition is the exploration of the father-son relationship. Works like “When the kids are suddenly quiet, you will become worried,” and “I want to become the man my father wasn’t,” are reasons to be subjected to religious scrutiny. They juxtapose the positions of being distant and close; in the former, the male and female figures are a few meters apart while in the latter, the two male figures are close, almost merging into one. They prompt a reality of a distant parent, representing a desire for reconciliation and a deep yearning to break the cycle of detachment and absence. In this series, the artist portrays scenarios of his life, prompting viewers to reflect on our place in the world and the complexities of human relationships. Individually powerful yet collectively cohesive, these artworks represent his first 'body of work,' centred on introspective reflections of his childhood and personal growth.
Anyacho's palette is as captivating as his subject matter. He masterfully employs a blend of vibrant hues and muted tones, creating a visual tapestry that reflects the emotional complexities of his themes. The use of light and shadow further adds depth and dimension to his canvases, drawing the viewer into the heart of his artistic exploration.
"Art Salon: Chijioke Anyacho" is more than just an exhibition; it's a conversation starter. It compels us to confront our own vulnerabilities, to explore the unspoken truths that shape our relationships and experiences. If you're in Lagos and looking for an exhibition that will stay with you long after you leave the gallery, "Art Salon: Chijioke Anyacho" is a must-see.
ABOUT CHIJIOKE ANYACHO
Chijioke Anyacho is a painter who lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Benin, Nigeria, in 2015. Working primarily with techniques adopted from his sculptural background, Anyacho’s practice explores the complexities of human relationships with themselves, their bodies, and their immediate environment through playful, abstract, and colourful compositions.
Anyacho has participated in several exhibitions, including “At Once, Then Again” at Rele Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2023); “Unfettered” at Mitochondria Gallery, USA (2023); Mitochondria Gallery, USA (2021); Gaia Africa, Lagos (2021); Abuja International PhotoFestival, Abuja, Nigeria (2021); “PANORAMA 5” at Galeria Fran Reus, Mallorca, Spain (2021); and “My Brother’s Keeper” at Artbridge Projects, Lagos, Nigeria (2021). In 2020, Anyacho received a grant from the Lighton International Artist Exchange Program (LIAEP) and participated in artist residencies at Rele Young Contemporaries in Ekiti, Nigeria, and the Oxbow School of Art in Michigan, USA.
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