The African Artist’s Foundation, in partnership with Soto Gallery, is pleased to unveil “If Hives Could Dance in Colours”, a solo exhibition by Kingsley Ayogu. Until September 21, the creative space of Soto Gallery in Lagos is enriched by a dazzling swirl of vivid colors, illustrating the genius of the contemporary artist.
In “If Hives Could Dance in Colours”, Kingsley Ayogu embarks on an introspective journey. His artistic quest, fueled by an insatiable curiosity, allows him to explore new dimensions of creativity. This series of works, presented to the Nigerian public, represents a significant evolution in Kingsley Ayogu’s artistic journey. Through his aesthetic approach, he highlights his mastery of hyperrealism, underlining the precision and care he gives to detail. The title, “If Hives Could Dance in Colours”, evokes this creative expansion.
Inspired by the order and dedication of beehives, his first creations were meticulous, faithful representations of industrious bees building a collective structure. But what happens when the hive becomes disorganized and the bees give free rein to a frenzied dance of color?
With the “If Hives Could Dance in Colours” series, the Nigerian artist frees his artistic expression from convention, infusing it with a vibrant, innovative energy. To establish his new vision of art, he turns to unprecedented techniques and diversified materials. Playing with various textures, nets and sponges, Kingsley Ayogu lends both conceptual and physical depth to his work.
These elements not only add an aesthetic touch, but are integrated into a whole that symbolizes the disparate identities and experiences he seeks to convey through his art. While his technical mastery is undeniable, it is not the central element of his work. On the contrary, it’s the magnetic harmony of the whole that captures the viewer’s attention, encouraging him to look beyond appearances and delve into the rich complexity he conceives.
With “If Hives Could Dance in Colours”, Kingsley Ayogu invites the public to immerse themselves fully in his world, transforming the exhibition into a living experience of forms and ideas. What may seem obscured by the materiality of the sponges is in fact brought to light by the design of the ideas. By obscuring certain aspects, the artist reveals other facets of his thinking. This layered, rhythmic, dancing unpacking addresses the historical dimensions shaped by the everyday gestures we each perform day after day.
Delicacy, inclusivity and application are fundamental values that characterize the works exhibited at Soto Gallery in Lagos, encouraging visitors to actively engage in this captivating cycle of discovery. By turning layering and sewing into genuine levers of artistic creation, the Nigerian artist succeeds in transcending his own inspiration. He invites audiences to consider and embrace alternative realities, allowing his creative vision to resonate within their very existence. If you’re carried away by this colorful dance, take the time to breathe and soak up the experience – it’s nothing less than the nectar of his creativity crystallizing and taking root.
“If Hives Could Dance in Colours”, presented by AAF and Soto Gallery, is a series that pays homage to the freedom and audacity to explore one’s authenticity. In this work, Kingsley Ayogu’s talent is not limited to his technique, but is also transformed into a mirror of his deepest essence. Through a captivating dance of color, he invites us all to join in this celebration of self-discovery.
