Urban Culture – Historical Continuity, about Nigeria today, fearlessly looking towards the future.

Bolaji Alonge, ake Eyes of a Lagos Boy, presented his second solo photo exhibition “Urban Culture – Historical Continuity” at One Draw Gallery from 11 to 25 November 2018, curated by Segun Adejumo.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/bolaji-alonges-photographic-exhibition-takes-us-through-urban-culture-and-historical-continuity/

During the two weeks of the exhibition, several well attended events were held at the gallery, the official opening on 11th November, an opportunity to meet with the artist on Sunday 18th November and a special private view for foreign guests and the diplomatic corps on 23rd November. The catalog of the exhibition was sold out in a blink of the eye, leaving many hungry for more.

Art critics and culture journalists commended Bolaji on his work: “Nigerian cities, stranded rurals, their nuances and splendour as well as deep aquatic contents come into the focal point of photographer, Bolaji Alonge. The shots, taken from select spots across the country builds up as new body of work for Alonge’s second solo exhibition.” “Passionate photography and daring adventure are Alonge’s great combination, which makes him a unique and exciting brand. Armed with these two appeals, he has captured amazing locations and scenery, with his camera”.

Bolaji Alonge’s visual language speaks of the wonders of nature and human exchange, urban culture and searches for historical continuity in a world that is sometimes heavily fractured. His lens exposes contrast and conflict, while offering an alternative vision of one-ness, order in chaos. Recurring themes reflect the challenges people face today and Bolaji manages to expose beauty where it is not expected. Nigeria is a restless country, with shifting realities, one foot in the past the other reaching for a better future. Due to political turmoil the lives of many were put on hold, which has contributed to a sense of resilience, but also constant flares of resistance. Music, food and good times are part of everyday life and a source of pleasure, inspiration and exuberance. Urban Culture – Historical Continuity is about Nigeria today, fearlessly looking towards the future.

https://africanartswithtaj.blogspot.com/2018/11/documenting-urban-culture-through.html?m=1

ONE DRAW GALLERY – One Draw is an artist experience, consultancy, gallery, and research centre for the fine arts. One Draw brings the intuitive representation of the familiar in drawing, painting and sculpture. The idea is to bring a profound experience into the mundane, to open the ordinary eyes to the intellectuality in what seems pedestrian by highlighting through exquisite draughtsmanship and intuitive rendition the beauty of everyday experience/life.