By Henry Akubuiro
After making its debut nearly 10 years ago, Sogal Art Auction is, again, set for its 2023 edition with quite some rare paintings, sculptures and mixed media art of great depth.
According to the organisers, Signature Beyond Art Gallery, the 2023 Sogal auction starts with a preview on Saturday, November 4-Friday 10, the auction tagged ‹Modern and Contemporary› holds on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m, at Signature Beyond Art Gallery, 107, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Signature Beyond stated that the lots for the auction, among others, include those that assert the high depth of creativity.
Among the lots to be on sale is ‹Earthly Delights› by Akintunde Odesola, in which the artist creates painterly illustration of a sonnet, he wrote few years ahead of painting the work. The artist’s thoughts on ‘Earthly Delights’ is explained as: “The ruby I crave, my only abundance. I need not to start counting the stars, When the moon is right here, seated before my sight, keeping me in a sweet silent sigh. Those days have come and gone, When beauty and pleasure are all I want.”
In the text of poetry contents, Odesola further stated: «Slowly your strutted gown unveiled, Stealing away my glimpse by your naked night. Such enchantress is nothing but A heavenly and earthly beauty combined. A surface, embellishing the physical attraction, Wearing a fresh flesh, sewed like dainty diamond. A moment she said ‘be fetched with my intoxication’, She left me wobbled, as she softly pierced through the melon.”
Also featuring in the auction is Adams Enesi, whose sculpture titled ‹Undiscovered Treasures›, highlights the great depth of the 2023 Sogal auction. The sculpture depicts Undiscovered Treasure as would be irrevocably lost if people continue to shield their eyes, succumb to mental captivation, and turn a blind eye to setbacks, greed, and the relentless pursuit of power. “The fundamental question we face is: how can we, as individuals and as a nation, reclaim these dwindling treasures?”
Adding uniqueness to the Sogal Auction 2023 is Tayo Olayode›s ‹Face Series›. Olayode’s oeuvre include paintings, sculptures, tapestries and large scale sculptures in public spaces in Nigeria, utilizing diverse media including found objects such as rubber slippers, charcoal and metals. His fascination with unique textures and unusual applications led him to experiment and utilize complex techniques and styles. Olayode explores materials and methods, through an emphasis on line and color, with an aesthetic language that spans abstraction, realism and surrealism.
In Choice Okereafor›s mixed media titled ‹Inner Peace› comes an ode to the quiet strength that resides within everyone. It’s a reminder of the importance of seeking moments of serenity, where the heart and mind find reprieve, and where the complexities of life are distilled into moments of profound clarity and harmony.
One of Nigeria›s popular festivals, Durbar, gets attention of Abdusalam Abdukareem in an oil on canvas painting dated 2023. Titled ‘Durbar’, the painting celebrates the festival described as a vibrant world of cultural celebration, history, and the timeless beauty of tradition. It serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity, reminding us of the importance of honoring our roots and embracing the diversity and richness of our global heritage.
In Dauda Mohammed›s mixed media of buttons on board, a multidimensional effect comes to energise creativity. One of his works for the auction asked: ‹Who am I?› Produced with thousands of painted cloth buttons, the work is inspired by what the artist describes as the ‹she’s› and ‹her’s› of this world. A text attached to the work explains: «The she that has a quiet confidence that screams loud, the she that is humble but strong, the she that is gentle but fierce, the she that is giving but not naïve, she chooses her battles wisely, she stays silent until it’s time to fight, and when that time comes, she rises like a strong woman and fights she does.» The gender specific in this context, Mohammed added «can be both sunshine and rain, capable of both peace and war; she is a timeless beauty with refined elegance; and she fights for those who cannot fight for themselves. She is her own kind—a woman, a wife, a mother, and a sister.”
With over 60 lots, Sogal›s Modern and Contemporary auction also has window for absentee biddings. In addition, the auction house explained that telephone bidding on the site www.signaturebeyond.com will only be accepted on lots with a lower estimate of N500,000 or above. The instructions also states that new bidders must provide proof of identity when submitting bids. “Failure to do this may result in your bid not being processed,” Sogal states in the catalogue of the auction. “Send your absentee bids to autions@ signaturebeyond.com. Please note that bids should be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on the the day prior to the sale.”
Organised by Signature Beyond Art Gallery, Sogal Auction made its debut in 2014 and has been consistent with emphasis on quality artworks for sale.