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By Henry Akubuiro
Figurative expressions take fresh themes in artist Laju Sholola’s works, which capture the tender, candid emotions that shape identities and growth. The artist’s works, currently showing as her solo exhibition entitled Be Here Now, at Yenwa Gallery, Muri-Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos emits the visibility and mystery of life. With medium such as black tea, ink, charcoal, pastel and acrylic, Sholola creates bold paintings on canvas that celebrate feminity.
“Through her minimalist lens, Sholola conveys these feelings in an abstracted figurative style, using a unique technique of layering tea-infused brush strokes, she intricately highlights the contrast between what is visible and what is concealed,” Ugonna Ibe, curator and founder at Yenwa Gallery stated. “Rendered in subdued monochrome tones and featuring serene subjects, her works invite viewers into a realm of calm and reflection.”
Among the works on display are Lucid Dreams, Rest, Daydream, All Her Glory, Twofold series, Be Here Now series, Reverie series, Reflections, and A Toast to the Moment, among others. These works and others explore the complexities of personal journeys towards self-actualisation, which encourages viewers to embrace and celebrate the artist’s transformative paths on a broader scale.
“Sholola’s artistic strength in simplicity and deep thought, energise her an unconventional approach of
infusing black tea with a variation of drawing materials to instill her artworks with a serene and thoughtful ambiance. This much has earned her exposures within and outside Nigeria, showing in exhibitions and galleries to audience across generations.
The figures, often portrayed in undergarments, nightwear, or swimwear, evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection,» Ibe noted. “Their averted gazes and closed eyes draw us into their private worlds, encouraging us to pause and reflect. In the quiet presence of Sholola’s art, our own thoughts become amplified, prompting a deeper engagement with the emotions and narratives her pieces convey.”
The curator highlighted pieces like Grounding I and Grounding II, series, in which the artist explores the theme of balance and readiness for movement. For example, Ibe explained that the subject in Grounding I «hugs her knees in a crouched position, embodying a moment of contemplation.» For Grounding II, the artist, according to Ibe, “assumes a stance reminiscent of a competitive runner, poised for action yet grounded,” noting that how the subject’s focus directed beyond the viewer’s gaze. Ibe stated that “these works capture the tension between stillness and motion, grounding and flight.”
The gallery statement exposed Sholola’s depiction of solo, duo, and multiple subjects within her compositions, which speaks to the tranquility and quiet found even in company. Such example, according to the curator, exists in a piece entitled Lucid Dream, which captures four women lie close together, evoking a sense of comfort and camaraderie. In the piece, there exists quite some rare thoughts of emotive energy. “These figures, comfortable in their silence, represent the welcome lull that follows a hearty conversation—a moment of rest before the next wave of thoughts and emotions,” Ibe explained. “Through these varied compositions, Sholola explores the complex interplay between the desire for solitude and the need for companionship, highlighting the balance between introversion and connection.”
Yenwa Gallery assured that Sholola’s Be Here Now is an invitation to connect deeply with the present moment, to declutter our minds and lives, and to embrace the beauty of stillness and introspection. “We hope this exhibition inspires viewers to find solace and inspiration in the quiet spaces, fostering a deeper understanding of their own journeys and transformations.”
Sholola’s works have featured in exhibitions at Evanston Art Centre, Medium Tings, Mitochondria Gallery, USA; Kanbi Projects, UK; and Art X Lagos, Soto Gallery, Yenwa Gallery, Angels & Muse, Bloom Art Gallery, Rele, as well as Wunika Mukan Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
