Mobolaji Ogunrosoye’s exploration of women, Tschabalala Self’s restored sculpture, and the upcoming Art Basel 2023 show.
Nigerian conceptual artist Mobolaji Ogunrosoye uses her medium to address themes of selfhood and body image relating to the African woman. After a remarkable debut at the recently concluded 1-54 New York art fair, we spotlight Ogunrosoye’s art and her artistic process in this article, “The Investigation of Body Image in Mobolaji Ogunrosoye’s Work.”
Read the article here.
Art Basel 2023 is here!
The show will open to the public on June 15 and will run through Sunday, June 18. This year’s edition will feature over 200 leading galleries and more than 4,000 artists from five continents. The show which will be held in Basel is divided into sectors. Each sector has a specific focus, from monumental works to solo presentations by emerging artists. Here is all you need to know about the show.
Artist Spotlight: Tschabalala Self
Tschabalala Self is an artist who builds a singular style from the syncretic use of both painting and printmaking to explore ideas about the black body. She constructs depictions of predominantly female bodies using a combination of sewn, printed, and painted materials, traversing different artistic and craft traditions. The formal and conceptual aspects of Self's work seek to expand her critical inquiry into selfhood and human flourishing.
Currently on view at De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, Self’s 10-foot-tall sculpture of a seated Black woman titled ‘Seated’ was spray-painted white by vandals in England last month. Known for her depictions of Black women in her works, Self says, “Despite my disappointment, I am not surprised as Black and Female – and especially because Black Female bodies are often targets for abuse. Seated proudly represents the beauty of both blackness and femininity, and for these very reasons, she has been harmed: covered by her assailant with white spray paint in a futile attempt to erase her colour and, in my mind, her strength. Despite these efforts, she remains in place and will continue to do so until her time at De La Warr Pavilion is complete.”
The artist took to her Instagram to announce that the work has been restored and made better by the people of Bexhill: “You all will forever be part of the artwork for your hands have aided in her renewal. I truly enjoyed my visit and meeting many of you! Seated can now continue to be enjoyed by the community for the remainder of her stay.”
On view:
what could possibly go wrong, if we tell it like it is: Gagosian is extending the solo presentation of Amoako Boafo’s works from his New York exhibition to the artist’s space in Ghana, dot.ateliers, with the addition of new works. (May 25 - July 6, 2023).
Transcendence: Omenka Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria) is presenting works for a joint exhibition of Jimmy Nwanne and Olufemi Oyewole. (May 26 - June 26, 2023).
Destins Communs: La Kunsthalle Mulhouse presents a solo exhibition of Omar Ba’s recent body of work featuring a site-specific installation. (June 9 - October 29, 2023).
