In 18 paintings, the artist from the Osogbo art school, Babalola Lawson tells the intriguing story of life and of himself. Currently showing at the Moorhouse in Ikoyi, Lagos, the exhibition aptly titled ‘Original Self’ will be on till June 22.
At the opening reception on June 6, Alliance Francaise Director Nigeria, Christine Deuve, said this was not the first time the French Cultural Centre in Nigeria was organising exhibitions at the Ikoyi Hotel. She explained that the hotel has become a partner in showcasing Nigerian artists.
“The visibility is better here on the Island unlike in Yaba,” she told TheNiche. Yaba is where the organisation’s office is located.
Also at the opening was Oba Gbenga Sonuga the Fadesewa of Simawa, in Makun Sagamu, Ogun State. He applauded the painter who was once a dancer before he embraced painting fully in 1993.
“You are better at this one than at dancing,” the cultural icon and royal father declared. He went on to say he would be purchasing one of the paintings.
The guests, who attended from all walks of life and particularly from the French community in Lagos, can attest to the fact that Lawson has come into his own. Of the Osogbo school and learning under Rufus Ogundele and Femi Johnson, Lawson has a style of his own and very distinguishable from his teachers and the originators of the school.
“When you train under someone, you have to move on to keep your own style to be known in the society,” said Lawson who has held four solo exhibitions and several group ones including one ongoing in Italy.
“I don’t want to be like anybody; I just want to be myself. This is what informs the title of the exhibition, ‘Original Self’,” said the artist who explained that taking that decision has stood him out.
Also, the paintings, which Lawson said are done with pen and ink on canvass, are as colourful as they are bold.
“I have been working with motif for 12 years. I want to give people something else,” he told TheNiche.
Among the works on display are ‘New Convert’, which the artist said is all about initiation of people to any kind of thing that you can think of.
There is also ‘Aftermath’, which depicts a woman naked or clothed depending on which angle it is viewed from. It is about a beautiful lady the artist sees around him every day.
Apart from titles like ‘Life is a Market’, ‘Omoge’, ‘Aso ebi’ and ‘Pipeline Letter’ among others, there are a couple of untitled pieces.
Lawson draws his imagery from Yoruba two-dimensional decorative patterns and inspiration from every day happenings as the titles of his works indicate.
