Crossroads

SMO Contemporary Art presents CROSSROADS, a summer exhibition featuring eleven emerging visual artists. CROSSROADS celebrates young talent currently navigating the African art scene, demanding space for alternative expressions.

CROSSROADS is made up of thirty-three paintings, sculptures, photographs and mixed-media works by Adeniyi Adewole, Ashiata Shaibu, The Creatus, Boluwatife Lawal, Christopher Samuel Idowu, Kevwe Eru, David Ibukun Oniyide, Francis Nwajiaku Uche, Odia Odibo, Ikenna Obinka and Victor Sonoiki. Each artist delves into themes which explore our culture, personal freedom, mental health and identity within a pressurized and over-populated urban landscape, bringing youth to often feel at “crossroads” in their lives. The works delve into the mindscapes of young talent as they grapple with critical decisions in the midst of tense socio-economic global and local realities which have a pivotal impact on their futures.

The artists range in age from 20 to 29, speaking out for their generation by creating works which show a deep awareness and sensitization regarding diverse issues and challenges.

The Creatus, Ashiata Shaibu and Adeniyi Adewole all touch on the subject of freedom highlighting coming-of-age struggles with self-expression and self-actualization. Adewole’s hybrid sculptures are steeped in the Yoruba belief that a man's ‘Ori’ (destiny) is in his own hands. Ashiata Shaibu’s female subjects express a longing for freedom, while The Creatus' vibrant pop culture paintings show stylized African subjects forced to choose between pursuing their passion or a standard profession.

Kevwe Eru, David Oniyide Ibukun and Victor Sonoiki delve into the global mental health crisis facing youth on an individual and communal level. Through drawings, Oniyide and Sonoiki explore the mental health struggles of young African men, while Eru’s monochromatic images depict her subject’s battle against the effects of anxiety and depression.

The pensive gazes on Christopher Samuel Idowu and Odia Odibo’s subjects hint at a sense of uncertainty and introspection that comes with making life changing decisions. Idowu’s aged palette highlights the importance of each moment, while Odia’s lush white beards give his subjects a sense of quiet maturity.

Boluwatife Lawal, Francis Nwajiaku Uche and Ikenna Obinka use their art to explore culture, identity and human connections by analyzing how history and politics shape our daily experience, and the conflicts and contradictions resulting from these realities.

CROSSROADS is dominated by works which focus on black figuration with an unapologetic, direct gaze. This exhibition reminds us that life is never easy through the perspective of these eleven artists, challenging us to overcome societal limitations.

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

* denotes required fields

We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy (available on request). You can unsubscribe or change your preferences at any time by clicking the link in our emails.

* denotes required fields

Crossroads: SMO Contemporary Art presents CROSSROADS, a summer exhibition featuring eleven emerging visual artists.

Ashiata Shaibu

Kevwe Eru

Christopher Samuel Idowu

Ikenna Obinka

Cookie preferences

Join our mailing list

Viewing room

Please check your email