The Young Contemporaries program, founded in 2016, identifies, mentors and promotes a new generation of talent by equipping them with tools and resources to advance their artistic development. Each one of the artists possesses a unique voice, eye and message and are creating works that address urgent, topical issues. This exhibition features five artists, one from each year of Young Contemporaries from 2016 - 2020, Dipo Doherty, REWA, Yasser, Tonia Nneji and Ameh Egwuh.
Dipo Doherty
Dipo Doherty (2016 Young Contemporary) is an artist, engineer, and entrepreneur, Dipo seeks to define a vocabulary in his work that unites his African heritage and scientific background; a socio-scientific synthesis, with the human body being at the centre-point of his practice. Doherty has interpreted the human anatomy in his own ideology, increasing its dimensionality in abstraction in his paintings, while expanding his visual language to other forms of media that reference socio-economic issues, and scientific parallels in the highly dynamic, and multi-cultural fabric of the world today.
Shards (2019) by Dipo DohertyRele Arts Foundation
Beetle Arugula (2019) by Dipo DohertyRele Arts Foundation
Morning's Dose (2019) by Dipo DohertyRele Arts Foundation
Josephine and her dress of many colours (2019) by REWARele Arts Foundation
Umu Ada
REWA (2017 Young Contemporary) artwork represents and glorifies women in numerous forms; as goddesses, travellers and most recently, as inexorable forces behind naming rites of the Igbo culture.Her featured series ‘Umu Ada’ which means native daughters of common male ancestors or "daughters of the soil", is a collective term for all first daughters and is formed from two Igbo words: Umu and Ada. REWA hopes to give viewers an education and understanding of who Igbo women are as a group.
Somadina in response (2019) by REWARele Arts Foundation
Nnuku Nwanne Obele Nwanne (2019) by REWARele Arts Foundation
Cool Kats II (2019) by YasserRele Arts Foundation
Yasser
Yasser (2018 Young Contemporary), is a multi-disciplinary artist, who draws inspiration from his multi-cultural heritage. He infuses the pieces of the different nationalities and cultures into his work, creating multifaceted paintings on antique and vintage traditional fabrics.
Matan Sarkin Katsina (2020) by YasserRele Arts Foundation
I Know This Fabric Well (2019) by YasserRele Arts Foundation
OKOSISI II (2019) by Tonia NnejiRele Arts Foundation
Tonia Nneji
Tonia Nneji (2019 Young contemporary) artistic expression is inspired by her experience as a female living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). She intentionally uses bold colours and patterns to debunk a culture of silence; speaking audaciously about the trauma experienced as a result of her medical condition. She explores the themes of selflessness, mental health and particularly the challenges female encounter with their health conditions.
OKOSISI (2019) by Tonia NnejiRele Arts Foundation
While We Wait 4 (2019) by Tonia NnejiRele Arts Foundation
While We Wait 3 (2019) by Tonia NnejiRele Arts Foundation
Long Break (2020) by Ameh EgwuhRele Arts Foundation
Ameh Egwuh
Ameh Egwuh (2020 Young Contemporary) is a painter whose work is a representation of his thoughts, feelings, opinion and commentary on issues happening around him. Fascinated by lines, Ameh is influenced by his African roots and different art movements, styles and cultures. He draws inspiration from the Adinkra and Nsibidi art signs and symbols, and the scarification of Ife art.
The Old Rules (2020) by Ameh EgwuhRele Arts Foundation
Lost In Thought (2020) by Ameh EgwuhRele Arts Foundation
Quiet Time (2020) by Ameh EgwuhRele Arts Foundation
Dipo Doherty
REWA
Yasser
Tonia Nneji
Ameh Egwuh
Rele Arts Foundation | Rele Gallery
Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria
For more information visit www.rele.co
Exhibit created by
Rele Gallery | Rele Arts Foundation