Photographs are historically subject matter specific. In this exhibition of new works titled Optic Nerve Ade Adekola offers the viewing public electrifying “transformations” that depart from subject matter.
Ade is fascinated with perception and how we as people come around to altering our spaces for the better. He says the philosophy behind Optic Nerve was borne out of contemplating a myriad of challenges endemic in Nigerian society. He believes that change within a society must first come from change within the mind of its citizens. To effect change in society he says, we must learn first to change the way we look at things. Playfully he adds: “we must learn how to tickle our Optic Nerves to fool our brains.”
The artworks in the exhibition are optical inventions that explore new processes of image making and beckons the viewer to look between line and colour, shape and form in order to make perception change a more comfortable endeavor.
Ade is an experimental photographer. He uses digital tools as his locus of creation. He works with technologies that allow him to explore new photographic representations. He creates contemporary representations influenced from traditional and urban Nigerian culture.
Many of the pieces in the show are magnificent objects for sustained contemplation. When hung in groupings, they produce an array of unusual and striking combinations. They are as commanding as visual expressions as they are statements which allow the connoisseurship of contemporary photography to thrive.
Ade’s oeuvre helps to question how we perceive and define photography and perhaps offers a glimpse of how we as Nigerians need to change the way we look at things to inspire how we can build a transformative society.
About Ade Adekola
Ade Adekola is an internationally recognized, award winning Architect turned conceptual artist. He works primarily by exploring the possibilities offered by digital image making. His photography can be considered as performative; it refers to and creates vibrant memories of a time, questioning the boundaries between individual and collective experiences. His images are considered to elevate the visual plateau of Nigerian photography.
His works are documented in several publications and are collected worldwide.
For more information, visit: www.adekola.com
About Gallery B57
Gallery B57 is a unique exhibition space and pop-up venue. It caters to the creative industries and the culturally progressives. B57 showcases world-class photography of an experimental nature by African artist.
Please join the conversation with Gallery B57 via the hashtags #GalleryB57 #opticnerve #adeadekola
Gallery B57 is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am—5pm.
For further information, please email [email protected] or call +234 (0)706 400 0004 57 Bishop Oluwole, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
For more information, visit: www.GalleryB57.com
Information
Gallery B57
57 Bishop Oluwole Str, Lagos Nigeria
November 02, 2019 to November 30, 2019
