Rubber Renditions

Rubber experiment

This exhibit is about an artist experimenting with tyres, not only because of its abundant availability as a non-bio-degradable material, which is a plus for a potential sculpture medium, but as a pointer to the irony of lack amidst plenty which, according to him, "is the order of the day in our society."

Infinite patterns and forms

Tyre sculpting in Nigeria was elevated by renowned sculptor, Adeola Balogun who uses old, discarded tyres to create representations of images around him. He would cut the tyres up into strips, and weave them together using all sorts tools such as axe, cutlass, knife, angle-grinder etc.

His tyre renditions are always mixed media, which means that he uses the tyre along with other materials to create the artworks. He started exploring this method in 2009 and has had three solo exhibitions with this material.

Contrasting Colours

His change of mindset from lack to abundance was underscored by the contrast between the traditional black colour of tyres and the brighter colour (gold, silver and copper) of the other materials he employed in some of the works.

Black rubber, black metal

Other times, the black colour is made to blend with metal add-ons. Industrial glue was sometimes applied to adhere to materials such as plywood board, while none conventional techniques are applied in other instances.

Diverse patterns and forms

Many of his works take advantage of the different patterns on the tread of tyres by cutting, shredding and integrating them to generate desired forms and patterns as a visual language.

Music and harmony

The apparent harmony of the shredded tyres with other materials he employed was often represented in his works as the harmony often associated with music performed using different instruments.

The contingency of life

Balogun's preference for representations of music and dance in his works is only coincidental. However, it is also a reflexive portrayal of the positive attitude that contrasts with the contingency of life symbolised by the tyres he uses to create them.

Metaphors

Balogun's the body of work represents a metaphor that points to extremism in respect of poverty vis-avis riches in the society as symbolized by discarded tyres and precious metals such as copper, brass and stainless steel.

The black asset

This radial black rubber, which happens to be automobile’s only point of contact with the road, is discarded indiscriminately once its service year is over. Thus, it becomes a nuisance to the environment but an asset to the artist.

The "re-tyred" worker

Balogun relates the life of civil servants in Nigeria to that of tyres: "Having spent the better part of their lives serving the government, they are re-tyred after serving for many years. For most of them, life continues in some other form.

The 're-tyred' worker

Re-tyring is very much like being discarded since the workers might not get their dues when due. Consequently, the retirees might become liability and nuisance to the family and the society at large.

Taking the bull by the horns

The use of tyres sculptures has deeper implications for Adeola Balogun. For him, it is gratifying to know that we all posses the ability to change our situation for the better, no matter the level of degeneration.

Taking the bull by the horns

Adeola Balogun believes it is high time the people look inward, because the power within them is more than enough to conquer their perceived challenges.