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SMO Contemporary Art presents Vantage Point, an exhibition of photographs by Oyebola Famuyiwa and Bernard Kalu, in celebration of The Wheatbaker's 10th anniversary. The two artist exhibition showcases unique aerial and terrestrial perspectives of one of the world’s 20 largest cities.
Famuyiwa and Kalu explore the culture, history, and aesthetics of Lagos with 25 spectacular photographs shot from unique perspectives and angles which reveal the patterns, colors, textures and complexity of this vibrant metropolis with its ever expanding population and critical environmental challenges. The photographs reflect brief moments of spontaneity captured by these two self-taught photographers who have been working in tandem for a number of years. Vantage Point is a testament to their connection with the city, and their ability to document from above and below the mebrane of Lagos’ ever changing socio-cultural landscape.
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Oyebola Famuyiwa
Oyebola Famuyiwa (born 1987) is a fine art photographer with strong interests in architecture and aerial photography. He ventured into photography while studying Electrical Electronics Engineering at the prestigious University of Ibadan. He currently manages ArtbyOye (Fine Art Photography), Potterclay Photography (Lifestyle and Events Photography) and PixBus (Mobile Photo Booth in a 1979 VolksWagen Bus). As a little child he always wondered how a photographer could capture images with a camera and deliver large framed prints. This fascination with image processing at a very tender age encouraged him to save up and buy his first analog camera gear in junior secondary school.
Oyebola’s works have been featured in exhibitions such as the 2009 Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), British Council iCreative Expo 2011, Lagos Photo “2011 Amateur Photography Competition” and the 2019 “China-Nigeria Friendship in Pictures” Photography Competition. His works have also been featured in international and local magazines. He also has his work in the Lagos Edition of the Monopoly Electronic Banking game which is produced by Bestman Games Limited.
As a strong believer in humanity he searches beyond the obvious thereby creating art even in the most uninteresting places. He is inspired by the creative possibilities of nature, the versatility of humans and the opportunities these afford him. -
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"Famuyiwa, captures the city above the noise and chaos, causing us to re-focus our attention on the geometric poetry, expansive greenery, and serene waters which surround this island city. He tells a story of Lagos that is not often seen or spoken about: the peace and beauty that lies in the upper hemispheres."
Nneoma Ilogu
Curator
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Oyebola Famuyiwa
Lone III, 2020 Giclee Print on Metal
24 x 36 inches -
Bernard Kalu
Bernard Kalu (born 1989) is a documentary photographer based in Lagos, Nigeria, with a passion for humans and the stories they tell simply by existing. His work aims to explore life and humanity.
Photography is drawing with light and he’s adopted it as a tool to not only tell stories but preserve today for the future. Bernard began working in photography in 2014, exploring street documentary and creative twists to wedding photography- with Auxano Photography, now Verteller Studios. He is a certified Canon Miraisha master storyteller, VII Academy Foundry alumni, first runner up in the 2017 NATGEO Portfolio Review and has been on assignment with a number of organizations within and outside Nigeria. To mention a few, The Lancet, Bloomberg, IFAD, NBNL, MyAfricanPassport Inc. and so on. Also, he is a member of Diversify Photo (a global collective of BIPOC visual Journalists) and African Photojournalism Database (APJD) (a joint project by World Press Photo and Everyday Africa) and the convener of the SPWWBK (Street Photography Workshop with Bernard Kalu) through which he engages and mentors a good number of upcoming visual storytellers.
He had his first exhibition early 2017 at the Revolving Art Gallery, Lagos Nigeria. Furthermore, he is an official Fujifilm Global X-Photographer. More recently, he has begun focusing on raising awareness about environmental and social issues in his home country, Nigeria. -
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“After ten years of showcasing leading and emerging Nigerian talent, we are excited to celebrate our anniversary with glimpses of Lagos from the sky. Vantage Point is a study of a traumatized ecosystem resting and regenerating. The breathtaking views capture the peace embodied within Lagos and the patterns created naturally through human migration and settlement.”
Mosun Ogunbanjo
Wheatbaker Director
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Bernard Kalu
Stance, 2016 Giclee Print on Metal
24 x 36 inches
