‘…the works do not dwell on naturalism or realism; rather the tenets of figurative stylization and abstraction are employed for visual exploration and artistic expression. The use of lines, pointilism, and other elements of design are intricately woven and blended with fine use of colour to make a bold statement; a statement from a master who understands his unique approach’
THE Terra Kulture, Lagos, played host to the Auchi Poly lecturer and painter, Kent Onah and his colourful paintings. His body of works, featured in a well-conceived solo exhibition titled Human Identity Space, were presented to the Lagos art audience when it opened to Lagos art enthusiasts on Saturday, March 19, 2022. It was a well-embraced exhibition attended by a crème of international audience and their Nigerian counterparts.
Despite being an art lecturer at the Auchi Polytechnic, Onah, who is popularly known as Ambassador, is not a stranger in Lagos. He had actually started out in Lagos where he cut his teeth in theatre way back in the early 80’s. In fact, he played the role of Leke in Akinwumi Isola’s Madam Tinubu directed by Segun Bankole, produced by Gbenga Sonuga and staged by the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture. That was in 1986. He also took part in a number of other theatre productions in Lagos before he returned to school. This is a testimonial to the fact that he is a multi-faceted artist who does not rely on visual art alone. Two years later, he obtained his Higher National Diploma degree from the Auchi Polytechnic with specialization in Painting.
By his training as a painter at the Auchi Polytechnic, an art school popularly known for its colour exuberance, Onah is a colourist. He has a deep understanding of colour, and this is practically proven in many of his works on display. Such attributes are probably responsible for the interest that Lagos artists have in him as they thronged the show. Onah, on Saturday, was like a beautiful bride coveted by all. Abiodun Olaku, Chika Iduh, Wallace Ejoh, Joshua Nmesirionye, Zinno Orara, Fidelis Odogwu, and a host of others Lagos artists graced the show with a sense of camaraderie. Indeed, there is nothing like being surrounded by one’s professional colleagues. Kent Onah smiled from ear to ear as he took time to analyze his works for comprehensive assimilation of his concepts and philosophy. Articulation of his ideas and artistic metamorphosis purred like torrents of rain that drenches people in the market square. Both the artists and the patrons took their turn to have a share of the artist’s tutorials, which further illuminated those hidden corners in each of the works on display.
In all, there was a total of 30 paintings on display; and these included a handful of works executed in mixed media. The crux of the show’s exploration finds an ally in what the curator of the exhibition, Yakubu Yahaya, describes as “…mental, social and physical modes by which human beings recognize themselves.” There are seen and unseen line of relationship and interactions among humans. They capture the essence of the artist’s philosophical approach to the show. The curator’s view is amplified in the thoughts of the artist himself who proffered a deeper insight into the concept of the show and the works produced to ventilate them. He said, “The body of works exhibited is an attempt to draw our attention to the different aspects and dimensions of the human being that exists within our human identity space.” In reality, the works do not dwell on naturalism or realism; rather the tenets of figurative stylization and abstraction are employed for visual exploration and artistic expression. The use of lines, pointilism, and other elements of design are intricately woven and blended with fine use of colour to make a bold statement; a statement from a master who understands his unique approach.
The works on display are chromatically encapsulated in purple scheme, blue scheme, purple-yellow scheme and others that eclectically borrow from aforementioned schemes. The use of colour further buttressed the artist’s clear understanding of colour and how it is easily manipulated to convey his thoughts and vision. Works on display copiously expressed this line of thoughts as they joyously called for attention on the wall. These works are Journey to Enlightenment I – III, Child Identity Crisis I – III, Trapped in Childhood Self, You and Your Dreams, Human in the Mirror I – III, and others. The pit of the artist’s creative exploration of ideas is bottomless. This is why some titles were explored from stage one to three. Due to the abstractive elements deliberately adopted by the artists, the titles better explain the works on display. These titles are like invisible veils pulled off the works after encountering them. Pleasantly, once you know the title, the work comes out clearer in its concept and analysis.
Abiodun Olaku, Nigerian master painter, who took time to go round the show, acknowledged the Kent Onah’s ability to veer off the conventional naturalistic approach to painting to make an unmistakable statement, but he quickly cautioned, “I hope he doesn’t impose his style on his students.” That is very germane in practical propagation of creative ideas. Some art lecturers and art masters are in the habit of forcing their students to copy them in order to get a pass mark. Olaku, being an experienced artist must have seen how masters manipulate their students. He knows it’s danger sign against art development.
The artist has promised the art audience that this show is not the end of the exploration of his chosen theme. By extension, he will continue to explore with more works until he returns with another exhibition. Ms. Oladunni Abiola, an art enthusiast and chattered accountant who finds an appeal in the artist’s use of colour, is of the opinion that a show of this magnitude will do well if it is taken on a tour for a larger audience to enjoy it better. In her words, “I will love to see this show in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan and other places of artistic interest.” Will the artist take up this challenge, especially considering the downturn in the global economy? If Kent Onah lives by his word of coming back to the public and exploring his creative muses further, the idea of a tour mooted by Ms. Abiola may not be a bad idea after all. It may be a magic the artist needs to expand his horizon and public.
In the meantime, Kent Ona’s Human Identity Space is still dishing out its array of colours to the Lagos art audience at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibition would stay on the gallery’s wall till Monday, 28th of March, 2022.
