TRACES OF ME
COLLINS OBIJIAKU
LUCE GALLERY
Turin, from May 4 to July 21, 2023 (extended)
Opening: Thursday, May 4, 6:30 pm
Online exhibition walkthrough video
Exhibition view, Traces of Me, Collins Obijiaku, 2023, Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Luce Gallery is pleased to announce Traces of Me, the first solo show for Collins Obijiaku with the gallery in Turin. A series of new portrait paintings - all with his signature meandering charcoal line-work - will be on view beginning May 4 through July 21, 2023.
Obijiaku is a Nigerian-based painter who uses the tradition of portraiture to examine the depths, truths, and complexities of humanity. In each work, the artist paints quiet, composed figures, with expressive gazes, to directly engage the viewer. To further strengthen the allure and intimacy, he draws a winding line - with no detectable beginning or end - that weaves throughout the sitter’s face and skin reminiscent of ‘mapping’ each person’s life journey. Together, the paintings in Traces of Me encourage viewers to contemplate the individuality of each person, as well as their distinct contribution to the diversity and complexity of the human experience.
This exhibition brings together thirteen portraits of people the artist has known since childhood. As the title Traces of Mehints, the oil and charcoal paintings conceal a small element of the artist’s connection between him and each kindred spirit on view, a sentiment Obijiaku felt after working on the series. In every elegant composition, he observes an old friend, memorializing their likeness, and thoughtfully records their inner conviction of strength, hope, positivity, and intelligence. Although usually indifferent to incorporating symbolism into his work, his use of ochre yellow, in many of the paintings, references the artist’s nostalgic connection to the hue from childhood. He recalled that all the brightest students were selected for the yellow group - a color he still associates with intelligence to this day. While aesthetically pleasing, the true strength of Obijiaku’s work is how he marries observations of each sitter’s distinct mannerisms and expressions, with his meditative charcoal line work, to gently guide the viewer to see more deeply and encourage profound empathy.
In Portrait of Gladys (2023) we see a graceful, young Nigerian woman donning a periwinkle blue dress. In a pale yellow room, she sits with her arms pressing downward, shifting her weight slightly left while leaning ever-so-slightly forward toward us, meeting our gaze directly. There’s a brief pause in her expression - her eyes slightly squinting - as if she’s examining us, rather than the other way around. Her demeanor is calm and poised, while simultaneously exuding an inner confidence. For Obijiaku this confidence is particularly important to emphasize with his female sitters, as he seeks to change common misconceptions of women, and instead emphasize their power. Meandering throughout her face, across her chest, and cascading down each arm, Obijiaku’s signature charcoal lines create visual pathways for the viewer to explore. Working much like fingerprints or wrinkles, the lines identify her, as well as all the twists and turns of life. She knows who she is, where she’s been, and where she aspires to be.
The exhibition walkthrough video at www.lucegallery.com/video.php.
Collins Obijiaku, Portrait of Gladys, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 180 x 130 cm (70.8 x 51.1 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku, Portrait of Gbenga Adeoye, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 180 x 130 cm (70.8 x 51.1 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku (1995, Kaduna, Nigeria) lives and works in Abuja. A self-taught painting and drawing artist, Obijiaku creates alluring portraits of individuals from his home country. In each work, captivating gazes and skin permeated with charcoal line work, resembling topographic maps, foster a deeper understanding of both the individual and ultimately humanity as a whole. In 2020, he was an artist-in-residence at Black Rock Senegal, the multidisciplinary residency program founded by artist Kehinde Wiley in Dakar, Senegal. Obijiaku’s works have been also exhibited at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco and the National Gallery of Arts in Enugu in Nigeria. His international exhibitions throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States include a solo show with Roberts Projects in Los Angeles, California. Additionally, his work has been acquired by numerous private collections and public institutions, including the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, Texas.
Collins Obijiaku, Untitled, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 100 x 80 cm (39.3 x 31.5 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku, The Break Fast, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 100 x 80 cm (39.3 x 31.5 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Traces of Me - Collins Obijiaku
Luce Gallery
Turin, from May 4 to July 21, 2023 (extended)
Opening: Thursday, May 4, 6:30 pm. The artist will be present.
Largo Montebello 40, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 - 7:30 pm
+39 011 18890206 / info@lucegallery.com / Instagram: lucegallery
Online videos featuring exhibition walkthroughs: www.lucegallery.com/video.php
Won't You Celebrate With Me - Zéh Palito
Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah
Luce Gallery / temporary gallery space during the New York Art Week 2023
New York, from May 19 to June 10, 2023
Opening: Friday, May 19, 6:00 - 8:30 pm. The artist will be present.
365 Broadway, Tribeca, NY 10013
Press Office: THE KNACK STUDIO / Tamara Lorenzi
tamara@theknackstudio.com / +39 347 0712934
info@theknackstudio.com / www.theknackstudio.com
TRACES OF ME
COLLINS OBIJIAKU
LUCE GALLERY
Turin, from May 4 to July 21, 2023 (extended)
Opening: Thursday, May 4, 6:30 pm
Online exhibition walkthrough video
Exhibition view, Traces of Me, Collins Obijiaku, 2023, Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Luce Gallery is pleased to announce Traces of Me, the first solo show for Collins Obijiaku with the gallery in Turin. A series of new portrait paintings - all with his signature meandering charcoal line-work - will be on view beginning May 4 through July 21, 2023.
Obijiaku is a Nigerian-based painter who uses the tradition of portraiture to examine the depths, truths, and complexities of humanity. In each work, the artist paints quiet, composed figures, with expressive gazes, to directly engage the viewer. To further strengthen the allure and intimacy, he draws a winding line - with no detectable beginning or end - that weaves throughout the sitter’s face and skin reminiscent of ‘mapping’ each person’s life journey. Together, the paintings in Traces of Me encourage viewers to contemplate the individuality of each person, as well as their distinct contribution to the diversity and complexity of the human experience.
This exhibition brings together thirteen portraits of people the artist has known since childhood. As the title Traces of Mehints, the oil and charcoal paintings conceal a small element of the artist’s connection between him and each kindred spirit on view, a sentiment Obijiaku felt after working on the series. In every elegant composition, he observes an old friend, memorializing their likeness, and thoughtfully records their inner conviction of strength, hope, positivity, and intelligence. Although usually indifferent to incorporating symbolism into his work, his use of ochre yellow, in many of the paintings, references the artist’s nostalgic connection to the hue from childhood. He recalled that all the brightest students were selected for the yellow group - a color he still associates with intelligence to this day. While aesthetically pleasing, the true strength of Obijiaku’s work is how he marries observations of each sitter’s distinct mannerisms and expressions, with his meditative charcoal line work, to gently guide the viewer to see more deeply and encourage profound empathy.
In Portrait of Gladys (2023) we see a graceful, young Nigerian woman donning a periwinkle blue dress. In a pale yellow room, she sits with her arms pressing downward, shifting her weight slightly left while leaning ever-so-slightly forward toward us, meeting our gaze directly. There’s a brief pause in her expression - her eyes slightly squinting - as if she’s examining us, rather than the other way around. Her demeanor is calm and poised, while simultaneously exuding an inner confidence. For Obijiaku this confidence is particularly important to emphasize with his female sitters, as he seeks to change common misconceptions of women, and instead emphasize their power. Meandering throughout her face, across her chest, and cascading down each arm, Obijiaku’s signature charcoal lines create visual pathways for the viewer to explore. Working much like fingerprints or wrinkles, the lines identify her, as well as all the twists and turns of life. She knows who she is, where she’s been, and where she aspires to be.
The exhibition walkthrough video at www.lucegallery.com/video.php.
Collins Obijiaku, Portrait of Gladys, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 180 x 130 cm (70.8 x 51.1 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku, Portrait of Gbenga Adeoye, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 180 x 130 cm (70.8 x 51.1 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku (1995, Kaduna, Nigeria) lives and works in Abuja. A self-taught painting and drawing artist, Obijiaku creates alluring portraits of individuals from his home country. In each work, captivating gazes and skin permeated with charcoal line work, resembling topographic maps, foster a deeper understanding of both the individual and ultimately humanity as a whole. In 2020, he was an artist-in-residence at Black Rock Senegal, the multidisciplinary residency program founded by artist Kehinde Wiley in Dakar, Senegal. Obijiaku’s works have been also exhibited at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco and the National Gallery of Arts in Enugu in Nigeria. His international exhibitions throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States include a solo show with Roberts Projects in Los Angeles, California. Additionally, his work has been acquired by numerous private collections and public institutions, including the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, Texas.
Collins Obijiaku, Untitled, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 100 x 80 cm (39.3 x 31.5 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Collins Obijiaku, The Break Fast, 2023, oil and charcoal on canvas, canvas size 100 x 80 cm (39.3 x 31.5 in), Photo Nicola Morittu, Courtesy the artist and Luce Gallery, Turin
Traces of Me - Collins Obijiaku
Luce Gallery
Turin, from May 4 to July 21, 2023 (extended)
Opening: Thursday, May 4, 6:30 pm. The artist will be present.
Largo Montebello 40, Italy
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 3:30 - 7:30 pm
+39 011 18890206 / info@lucegallery.com / Instagram: lucegallery
Online videos featuring exhibition walkthroughs: www.lucegallery.com/video.php
Won't You Celebrate With Me - Zéh Palito
Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah
Luce Gallery / temporary gallery space during the New York Art Week 2023
New York, from May 19 to June 10, 2023
Opening: Friday, May 19, 6:00 - 8:30 pm. The artist will be present.
365 Broadway, Tribeca, NY 10013
Press Office: THE KNACK STUDIO / Tamara Lorenzi
tamara@theknackstudio.com / +39 347 0712934
info@theknackstudio.com / www.theknackstudio.com
