3 MIN READ
in the beginning and so it goes…
by Ayanfe Olarinde
JD Malat Gallery, London, 13 April – 6 May 2023
If you have been reading my journal then you know that I love the work of artist Ayanfe Olarinde. I wanted to fill you in on her debut solo in London titled In The Beginning And So It Goes… taking place at the JD Malat Gallery from 13 April until 6 May 2023. This show is an absolute must see if you happen to live or be in LDN.
Through this solo show Olarinde offers up a bold, crisp and beautiful collection of works. Tapping into and exploring the impacts of the material and folkloric worlds of the artist’s native Yoruba Nigerian culture. Olarinde intertwines the past and the present seamlessly throughout the exhibition achieving this through her multimedium approach using ink, acrylic, charcoal, wool and even coffee.
These works are investigating the human condition, touching on issues of identity, belonging, and tradition. For example, my favorite pieces in the show the triptych Aeroplani o’dabo I, II and III (the contentment song), 2023 depicts the protagonists balancing what seems to be the world but are only feather weight paper planes. Olarinde manages to evoke pain, longing and strength by way of only the regard of the protagonists, achieving this in such a subtle way. For me, it’s all in the eyes!
There is so much to uncover and discover within each thought-provoking piece.
Aeroplani o’dabo I (the contentment song), 2023
Ink, Acrylic, Oil pastel and Coffee on Canvas
Aeroplani o’dabo II (the contentment song), 2023
Ink, Acrylic, Oil pastel, Sticker Vinyl and Coffee on Canvas
Aeroplani o’dabo III (the contentment song), 2023
Ink, Acrylic, Oil pastel and Coffee on Canvas
My Grandmother, whenever she came visiting from the village, would gather my siblings around at specific times to tell us stories, many of which were accompanied by songs with plenty of meanings. This became a culture and a continuous ritual whenever she came around. – Ayanfe Olarinde.
Genesis, 2023, Ink, Acrylic, oil pastel and wool on canvas, image courtesy JD Malat gallery.
The hero piece, in my opinion, of the exhibition titled Genesis, 2023, instantly brought me back to my own Caribbean heritage. To a vague patchwork of memories of being in Haiti as a child and attending carnival. Women dancing to the tanbou drum, chickens in the back yard, the smell of woodfire and elders telling us tales. How these memories and stories still to this day have travelled through time, to the future. Somehow living on today through me and as evidence in this wonderful exhibition though Olarinde.
Do stop by the gallery and if not, you can check out the exhibition catalog here.
Fall in love with this artist’s works just as I have.
WHERE TO see THE Exhibiton
'In The Beginning And So It Goes…' by Ayanfe Olarinde
13 April – 6 May 2023
30 Davies Street, London W1K 4NB
Tell us what you think of Ayanfe Olarinde’s debut in London.
Join the conversation, share in the comments!
You might also like this related article: ARTISTS I LOVE: AYANFE OLARINDE