Step into Adeyinka Akingbade’s art space

Adeyinka Akingbade, 30, is Lagos born.  His passion for art started when he was very young.  It was inspired and supported by his own father’s love for experimenting with different materials.  After his secondary education, Akingbade met the artist Kunle Adeyemi, who impacted his career immensely. Between 2003 and 2008, Akingbade majored in painting at […]

Adeyinka Akingbade, 30, is Lagos born.  His passion for art started when he was very young.  It was inspired and supported by his own father’s love for experimenting with different materials.  After his secondary education, Akingbade met the artist Kunle Adeyemi, who impacted his career immensely.

Between 2003 and 2008, Akingbade majored in painting at the Yaba College of Technology.  He completed a one-year internship with “Communicating for Change” where he was introduced to graphic arts and subsequently became a creative design consultant.  In 2008, Akingbade was one of the 30 selected artists in a competition entitled ‘Unbreakable Nigerian Spirit’, organised by African Artists’ Foundation in collaboration with Nigerian Breweries.  In 2010 he participated in the “Independence and the Ambivalence of Promise” workshop residency.  His body of work was featured in ‘BORRIOLAH-GHA’ Magazine, Germany in 2010. He won the first prize Lagos Black Heritage painting competition “Walls of Prison into fields of Freedom” in 2011.

Adeyinka Akingbade has learned from renowned photographers who have inspired him to try new techniques and encouraged him to expand his thinking.  He’s participated in different arts exhibitions and competitions locally as well as internationally

 

‘My SPACE’ concept

Personal space is often interpreted as a uniquely personal response; I suggest conversely that personal space exists only in relation to others and changes without our control.

A person’s personal space and his corresponding comfort zone are highly variable and difficult to measure. Also, personal space is affected by a person’s position in society, with more affluent individuals demanding a larger personal space.  Numerous relationships involving familial ties, romantic partners, friendships and close acquaintances have a modifying influence on personal space where a greater degree of trust and knowledge is required.

Spontaneously occurring on different scales of existence, the examination of this relationship may be seen as relevant regarding numerous other dynamics such as: defining patterns of human settlement, in examining the patterns of animal dominance, plant competition, the packing of atoms into crystals, the influence of gravity on stars, and the strategic placement of chain stores, amongst other applications.

This ongoing body of work is an experimentation on texture, colour, and motifs.  It seeks to explore the intrusion, acceptance and rejection of people within the artist’s own personal space.  It also seeks to address the tension between society and the individual engaging with this imperfect world versus the individual seeking solitude.

The ‘draft’ series features individuals who have a permanent space in the artist’s life. It also indicates the boundaries of their relationship with the artist.

The ‘Runway’ series illustrates the temporary relationship between the artists and others. It communicates the space they occupy in the artist’s life and the depth of their friendship. It  also symbolises the memories left behind that have made marks on both parties.

The ‘Floflo’ series portrays an individual existing in my personal space from the past to present day. Her behavioural characteristics and interaction make her a peculiar object of study on a personal level.

What inspires my paintings

My personal life experience, music, women and environment. Especially music. I am hugely inspired by music and I am a big fan of Lagbaja’s brand of music and art form. The concept of ‘flat face’, for instance, was an idea I derived from Lagbaja’s career identity which is ‘facelessness’. Lagbaja in the Yoruba language means ‘somebody’, just ‘anybody’. Leveraging that concept in my work means whatever I am thinking, seeing or feeling as a human being, anybody or somebody else somewhere too might be feeling the same way.

Arts patronage in Nigeria

Yes, I have a studio in Lagos. The level of patronage in Nigeria is increasing compared to the 90’s. Nigerians abroad are coming back home, more industries are being established in Nigeria, there are more banks than before. All these contribute in huge measures to the development of arts patronage in Nigeria.

Solo exhibitions

My first solo exhibition was in 2003, at Green Park, Akin Adesola Victoria Island, Lagos. During the International Women’s Society Annual General Meeting launched by former governor Bola Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. I participated in other exhibitions through competitions.

Paintings for social crusade

Title: Skentele: Inspired by Lagbaja’s Music: “Onigele yi skentele, ejooma skontolo…”. The concept of my own “Skentele” is the appreciation of women when going for party, everyone of them wears her headgear and put aside whatever problem she might be facing at home or in life. It’s a beautiful sight and a magnificent work of art