Ayanfe Olarinde: In The Beginning, And So It Goes...
Past exhibition
Overview
JD Malat Gallery is delighted to announce the opening of 'In The Beginning And So It Goes...', a solo show by Lagos-based artist Ayanfe Olarinde (b. 1996). On display from 13 April to 6 May 2023, this exhibition offers a visual narrative of mythological traditions of Yoruba, one of the most prominent and widely recognized cultures in Nigeria and West Africa. The viewers will find themselves on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, as Olarinde's paintings pose questions and ignite curiosity, while offering a pause to reflect on the fluidity of art and life.
'In The Beginning And So It Goes...' directly references Creation Myth, a folktale exploring the origins of the Yoruba people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa with a population of about 40 million. Yoruba thought is characterised by its predominantly oral narrative structure, which serves to elucidate and reveal knowledge about the causes and essence of phenomena that impact both the material and spiritual realms.
Frequently featuring animals and supernatural beings as protagonists, Yoruba folktales have been passed down through generations with the aim of teaching moral lessons to both children and adults. Olarinde's practice translates these ancient folktales - to which she was exposed as a child - into contemporary mixed media art that speaks to the complexities of modern life.
Works
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Aeroplani o’dabo I (the contentment song), 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Aeroplani o’dabo II (the contentment song), 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Aeroplani o’dabo III (the contentment song), 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Genesis, 2023
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Ayanfe Olarinde, In her own image, 2023
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Oluronbi and the tree, 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Table for two, 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, The lover who almost became a reality, 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, The Story of Olajumoke, 2023
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Through the valley of shadow III, 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Through the valley of shadow..., 2023 Sold
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Ayanfe Olarinde, Through the valley of the shadow II, 2023 Sold
Installation Views
Press