The fabulous four full of countless experiences and dedication open a group exhibition bringing everyone to appreciate the beauties around us.

Ireho Aito writes from Lagos

After watching the highly celebrated Netflix Original documentary on the legendary American record producer and music composer, Quincy Jones, the music god that has given 7 decades of his life providing us with good music, one of the scenes caught some of us watching together in awe. Quincy mentioned 10 points to success and one of them was special; “you are what you see, your beauty turns out from what you see. In our time, we all wanted to become gangsters because it was what we used to see,” the Grammy award-winning producer reveals in the documentary. Definitely, we interpret beauties around us in our own ways if we constantly keep searching.

The city of Lagos, woke up to splatters of showers everywhere, expectedly. It is long awaited. But not on a Friday morning, that is always groovy for a typical Lagosian. The rain in its ecclesiastical beauty, pours with scattered thunders and everyone in it remains in it. Lagosians enjoy rains the same way they berate rain when it nosedives.

The 31st of May happens to be the end of the month and which figuratively means wages earning weekend. Such is the beauty that comes with end of the month high hopes in the city.

The same day the much awaited exhibition ‘Beauties Around Us’ comes up within the historical Onikan community and to be precise, inside the famous City Mall.

The foursome, Biodun Omolayo, Adeyemi Uthman, Jethro Otobo and Seyi Ajayi, all painters with attractive careers open up in a group exhibition worthy of their standings.

Are they in the rain? They are colours in motion. And spreading their artworks on canvases this beautiful Friday. Adventures are always colourful. Artists always react beautifully to events with their spirited ideas, drawing inspirations from happenings around them.

And the drive through the water colours of Lagos city down to the island is always full of aquatic splendour. Lagos, on the bridge is a beauty that behold us. Beneath us is aquatic life. One of the reasons, ‘Beauties Around Us’ is indeed an exhibition to watch.

As one opens Biodun Omolayo Gallery door, at the reception, you are welcome by two big works on canvases bodly displayed on the walls; Jethro Otobo’s Divine Beautifier and Seyi Ajayi’s Business Like are adorable paintings that are very welcoming in the art direction for the exhibition.

Jethro Otobo s life as an Ads man for 25 years truly reflects in his work. Deadlines are the tools in advertising industry. Jethro pitched his work well with Divine Beautifier as he explains to iBAND Magazine, “I love nature so much and working with experience in advertising brings me closer to nature. This painting explains not to take life too seriously but appreciate the way it is. I discovered by planting flowers and plants, you get to know more insects. Every plant attracts a particular insect which is very interesting to see,” explains the Urhobo born artist. What a welcoming display at Beauties Around Us exhibition.

I discovered by planting flowers and plants, you get to know more insects. Every plant attracts a particular insect which is very interesting to see

‘Before They Flew Away‘ by Jethro Otobo who was dressed in his traditional Urhobo ethnic fashion style, was inspired by trees and birds around his environment. He recounts, “birds perch on trees. They are always in one accord. I decided to plant some trees where I live and birds of different types started perching on these trees. Very beautiful birds all over the compound. Also, the air coming from the trees couple with calmness created a serene environment for me. Unfortunately, the community asked us to cut down the trees and all of a sudden the birds disappeared. I captured that natural scene on canvas how it was like when the trees and the birds were still present. I also realised we don’t appreciate nature enough and this is why we suffer environmental disorder, climate change and epidemic such as COVID – 19. Nature brings us life but we hardly see,” laments the advertising professional.

I also realised we don’t appreciate nature enough and this is why we suffer environmental disorder, climate change and epidemic such as COVID – 19.

Seyi Ajayi is a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, he mounted Business Like just at the back of the receptionist desk, definitely depicting a business atmosphere in the gallery. The work is typical Seyi Ajayi’s style known as ‘abstract impressionism. “I have been practising this style for years and it has become my motif to express myself, reveals the painter who nature chose to become an artist by divine intervention. “I fell in love with drawings right from my elementary school and getting to my final year while in Secondary School, preparing to sit for the final examinations by West Africa Examination Council popularly known as WAEC, our school principal invited eight of us that registered for the subject, asking us if we knew there is no teacher to take us through this particular art subject to prepare us adequately? We nodded in the affirmative that we did but we wanted to give our best shot. Interestingly, our results were outstanding. I came top of the set,” Seyi Ajayi in his beaming smiles explains. His wife and daughter join in his moment of glory at Beauties Around Us exhibition.

Close to 31 works of creative enterprise are on display at the exhibition running all week at Biodun Omolayo Gallery. The art direction of the artworks is so inviting and very marketable. All the works are majorly Oil on Canvas.

With light refreshments and beautiful space to move around, the works from the four great artists are captivating. They are excemplary symbols of who we are and what see daily.

Adeyemi ‘Uthman who was conspicuously absent at the exhibition displayed a work entitled Sac Race which is common at School games among pupils and students. His ‘Unstoppable’ acrylic on canvas work showcases the eclectic heavy drum dance of the Nigerian cultural troupe. The macabre dance steps are really amplified from the work that is uniquely standing as you turn your head in the gallery. Adeyemi Uthman surely knows his onions when it comes to dancing with colours and imaginations. Adeyemi Uthman brings us closer to the wood market we regularly see, neglect but very thriving business for construction of houses and more in ‘Oko Oba’ wood sellers market, another acrylic on canvas by hardworking Adeyemi Uthman. The beautiful aspect of this work is the market itself is transacted on water and yet, business thrives. It is believed to be a multimillion dollar industry successfully thriving on water. He returns with ‘Fish Market’ acrylic on canvas.

The curator and one of the exhibiting artists, Biodun Omolayo, showcases Friends at Sunset, The Bond which is the motherly care for a child with exclusive breastfeeding. African mothers appreciate their children and display constant bond between mother and child. In his environmental appreciation, his Ije Market elicits enterprise among Nigerian women whose vibrant and industrious culture cannot be replicated anywhere. Biodun Omolayo explains the inspiration behind this oil on canvas solely came from his usual drive to Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi, a middle class neighbourhood in aristocratic community such as Ikoyi. Ije market is widely known and attract the rich class always. Biodun, sometime ago, accommodated some of his Industrial Trainees in one of the flats in the neighbourhood. And each time he drove out and navigated through the road towards the market, he was always enthralled by the commerce in the market exemplified by these women. “Their presence alone is beauty personified. God actually created women for a purpose that they are fulfilling while on earth. Their attention to details and dexterity of the market survey, also communicating their clients as traders are well structured. They are beauties around us,” Biodun amplifies. Biodun Omolayo’s workaholic mien can never de diffused as he sees, he gets inspired. Being a member of the charity club Rotary Club in Ikoyi, his clientele base are sophisticated. His regular visits to Polo Club gave him a work of art in ‘Big Boys Game‘ a polo game painting of oil on canvas tells a true picture of who are the rich boys in Lagos. Polo is reserved for the rich and famous who could spend their fortunes in acquiring horses, training, maintaining and running polo clubs for competitions. It is a recreation and big sport for the rich class. His colour artistry on ‘Isale Eko‘ the heart of Lagos is awesome. It is a collector’s item just as ‘Eyo Spirit‘ a Lagos traditional festival whose exclusivity is with Lagos culture. ‘Eyo’ is a symbol for many Lagos stories. Biodun Omolayo, believes Lagos beauty and appreciation will not reach a global acclaim without the global appreciation of ‘Eyo masquerade

Who will never want to be part of Lagos ‘Owambe’ parties? Lagos is a party zone. Despite the rains on a good Friday, Isale Eko streets and myriads of event centers and party halls were still filled to the brim, people attending one function or the other and the display of traditional or party uniform known as ‘Aso Ebi’ reigned supreme. Biodun Omolayo who is famous for his fashion sense in the visual arts community was able to bring out the power of Lagos party in ‘Ethnic Orchestra’ done on oil on canvas with party drummers and dancers on party zone.
More works from Biodun Omolayo who celebrated his birthday recently with a new book entitled “Everyday Is A Milestone” include ‘Somewhere in Epe’ oil on canvas, ‘Golden Landscape acrylic on canvas and Trumpet of Glory done on Gouache.

Seyi Ajayi’s ‘ Je Nwi Temi’ literal meaning is ‘Don’t Gag Me, comes with a semi urban women in ferocious argument among them. This painting is a natural occurence in Nigerian neighbourhood setting. Neighbours in communal settings in semi urban setting are always in dispute resolution among themselves.

In Kakaki, another acrylic on canvas by Seyi Ajayi, according to the artist, “the painting is a triptych rendition of the advance party of an Hausa traditional ruler. Both Yoruba kings and Hausa emirs traditional leaders are usually accompanied with specially designed trumpet known as Kakaki, blown by expert trumpeters to herald the arrival of the ruler at various events. The painting is an exploration of forms intent on stylization and abstract impressionism. An otherwise popular theme presented simply with split complimentary colours and implied vibrating lines that sometimes portray movement of forms. Seyi Ajayi got this inspiration when he was a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State, as a post – graduate student and witnessed the popular Durbar festival scene in the Northerner part of Nigeria. He also came with more acrylic on canvas works such as Gbagyi Maidens, a synoptic abstract portrait of Gbagyi woman. In his statement, the artist explains, “ the Gbagyi or Gwari tribe are peaceful, creative, widely populated, indigenous ethnic group in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, until they were relocated to create space for the establishment of FCT.

Very unique attribute or custom of the Gbagyi women is the placement of goods, however heavy, on their shoulders. They believe the head represents the ruler of the entire body, hence, it should not be burdened.” ‘Against All Odds by Seyi Ajayi, mirrors on one of his many invitations he got in the Northern part of Nigeria. According to Seyi, ‘Against All Odds was inspired by a prominent governor from the Northern part of Nigeria. His dotting presence among the citizens despite high tensioned terrorism is worth commending. Seyi Ajayi explains further about the work; “the triptych narrative, exemplifies the position of an average citizen as he struggles to survive amidst unseen forces that are unarguably in control of livelihood within the chosen space.
Lines and colours are interwoven to express the mood cast by created forms representation: equestrian strength and energy fuses with men and women of various status in different situations and circumstances. Through it all, life continues as efforts at amicable dialogue by the leadership and led representatives often open up time for recreation and improved livelihood.”

Seyi Ajayi recalls that his contact with Biodun Omolayo Gallery was by sheer providence. He had an appointment with an art enthusiast and aficionado wayback at the City Mall. While he was trying to navigate his way to meet his host, he discovered there is a gallery in the mall. He had no choice but to knock on the door and pop in. “I was trying to navigate my way through the mall with some of my works with me. Coincidentally, I missed my way and ended up walking into Biodun Omolayo Gallery where Biodun Omolayo was also on ground,” he serenades us. Some of his other works are ‘Sibling Care’ acrylic on canvas, ‘Women’s Turn to Dance‘ acrylic on canvas, Palace Ground and Hairdressers III.

I was trying to navigate my way through the mall with some of my works with me. Coincidentally, I missed my way and ended up walking into Biodun Omolayo Gallery where Biodun Omolayo was also on ground,

Beauties Around Us is one unique exhibition filled with different experiences of four avant garde artists with tested dedication to their craft. While the scattered thunder keeps vibrating, guests at the exhibition could recount memorable and adorable works by the four – tops! A collector who eventually picked a work, adorable Bunmi Afolabi gives her opinion of Beauties Around Us exhibition; “the works are spellbound! They are inspirational and quite insightful. They reflect who we are exploring many things we ignore but are part of our everyday life. The works and creative given on each work are outstanding,” she remarks.

the works are spellbound! They are inspirational and quite insightful. They reflect who we are exploring many things we ignore but are part of our everyday life. The works and creative given on each work are outstanding,

Words/Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!