
Helene Love-Allotey
Head of Department
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Sold for £32,000 inc. premium
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Head of Department
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist, 2020;
A private collection.
Born in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1988, Oluwole Omofemi's aptitude for painting was recognised at a young age and fostered by established artists who collectively drew inspiration from the vibrant city. Through his developing body of work, he has gained a reputation for his captivating depictions of female subjects, typically set against vivacious backgrounds such as the bright blue the present work.
While the models for the paintings are typically friends and family of the artist, Omofemi believes they accrue a spiritual quality when transferred to canvas. He understands women to be close to God as he associates the qualities traditionally associated with femininity, including love, acceptance, and forgiveness, with the Divine. As Omofemi explains, 'I don't want to just paint a picture. I want a picture that captures the soul. I want a picture that captures personality. These are the things I want people to see' (Omofemi quoted in P. Laster, 2021). It could be concluded therefore, that the present lot is a call to society to promote equality and the education of justice and equity amongst young people for the future of society.
Bibliography
Paul Laster, 'Reclaiming Identity: Oluwole Omofemi's Paintings Reflect His African Roots', Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art, (May 2021, online)