Francis Agemo is currently showing his exhibition ” Everything stand still ” at Galerie Atlantic in Ouidah, Benin , until May 26 . This Nigerian painter and sculptor presents a new series of works in unique and varied forms, inviting the Beninese public to immerse themselves between object and observer.
Born in Nigeria in 1986, Francis Agemo is a self-taught artist based in Badagry, near Lagos. He draws inspiration for his work from his environment and the society around him. His creations evoke not only his village and its ancient traditions, but also the hectic life of Lagos, a city of 20 million inhabitants that he frequents regularly.
In an environment where poverty rubs shoulders with wealth, the African artist finds material to express his emotions through his works. He is particularly concerned about young people left to fend for themselves in a society where survival is a constant preoccupation. For Francis Agemo, despite the political changes, life remains difficult for the population, hence the title of his exhibition ” Everything stand still “.
This exhibition marks the artist’s third visit to Benin, where he presents his creations made mainly of wood. Salvaging planks from building sites and the streets, he creates unique works, meticulously carving each element to achieve an authentic and moving result. Thanks to his artistic experience, Francis Agemo is able to create vivid sculptures and paintings that reflect a sincere and profound aesthetic. He uses wooden planks and aluminum cans in his creations because of their availability and ease of transport. This combination of materials recalls the work of Nigeria-based Ghanaian artist El Anatsui, famous for his tapestries of aluminum bottle caps.
By nailing pieces of aluminum to wooden planks and combining them with acrylic, the contemporary artistcreates his own color palette. Everything stand still “, his new series presented at Ouidah, features a visual in which colors are toned down to highlight the organic nuances and texture of the wood, giving his works added power. The African artist explains: ” I toned down the colors to highlight the organic hues, subtleties and grain of the wood. My intention was to highlight natural beauty, which makes my pieces more powerful“.
Francis Agemo ‘s works convey both a social and political message, denouncing the corruption, neglect, growing inequality and security issues that plague his country, despite its natural wealth and oil production. ” The lack of a constant supply of energy, kidnappings, crime, security problems and many other things are ruining people’s lives, there’s no point pretending otherwise, we’re living in darkness “. The artist highlights the daily difficulties faced by the population, such as frequent power cuts and insecurity, which have a profound impact on people’s lives.
Through his art, Francis Agemo expresses the current situation in Nigeria. Despite their sombre context and strong social and political message, his works manage to convey a certain lightness and emotional depth. On close inspection, figures emerge from the surrounding abstraction, representing people marginalized and forgotten by society. The artist strives to give them visibility and a voice through her art, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring the dignity of each individual. “It’s important for me to bring them to light because we don’t see them; I want them to be visible because they are now invisible.”
By highlighting these invisible individuals,seeks to raise awareness and prompt reflection on the inequalities and injustices that persist in society. His works act as poignant testimonies to the daily reality of those who are often neglected and excluded, offering a profoundly human view of the human condition.
With “ Everything stand still “, Francis Agemo invites viewers to question their own perception of the world, and how they can contribute to changing things for a more just and equitable future. His works, both aesthetically striking and charged with meaning, offer a profound reflection on contemporary society and the challenges it faces, while celebrating the strength and resilience of marginalized individuals.
