The Banana Republic

November 28, 2019

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From November 30 to December 12, A Whitespace Creative Agency will present The Banana Republic a joint exhibition of satirical take on happenings in Nigeria by Akinwolere and Agemo Sewanu Francis.

In The Banana Republic, the artists explore the voice of the citizen lampooned in their daily and national life, sitting squarely with the big elephant in the room –corruption!

The series poses a provocation to the viewer, on the serious issues that fail to be given due attention, whilst finding hope in humour.

Muyiwa Akinwolere

Muyiwa Akinwolere is a contemporary Nigerian artist. He studied art in the Obafemi Awolowo University. His artistic journey began from the ancient town of Oshogbo, where he had his primary education. There he became fascinated with the works of Sussane Wenger and a number of artists of the Osogbo art school. Akinwolere’s early practice was centred around Yoruba mythology and the workings of the supernatural.

Recently, he has been concerned with migration, social inequality and the politics of resource control. Akinwolere incorporates a combination of dyes and recycled

materials in his mixed-media process. In 2016, he had a 6 months residency programme with Ventures Africa, where he experimented with inks and metals to create a body of work about homegrown terror in Nigeria and its immediate migratory effect. He lives and works in Badagry and has exhibited both locally and internationally.

Agemo Francis

Agemo Sewanu Francis is a Nigerian born Artist. He lives and works today in Badagry. He studied fine art at Delta State University Abraka 2008 where he majored in sculpture. He employs the use of art and elements that forged his youth in his practice.

Francis has indeed grown under the influence of the art and cultures sourced from his village, as a result of his grandfather being a well-known dignitary traditional worshipper. Francis has therefore been raised surrounded by objects: statuettes, totems and masks that were used by his grandfather as sources of inspirations, inserted thoroughly in his work and he also poses a look at the duality between tradition and contemporaneity.