Michael Adetula

Gaze is a Powerful Language

2023

Michael Adetula's paintings convey his fascination for contemporary attitudes which are embellished with fragments of history. Working with images of trendy young people in poses that suggest the hipness of modernity, his characters have on their bodies paintings and designs of elements that tell stories that stretch beyond their present, to the past, or even their genetic memories. Adetula’s work addresses cultural themes of identity, with the aim of documenting how the past reflects on the present. “The time capsules we live in are interconnected in more ways than we can grasp, says Adetula. His primary medium is Acrylic on canvas, which is complimented by his application of colored pens. With this, he is able to create works that have bold brush strokes as well as intricate paintings on the body that also serve as texture. The backgrounds and paintings of clothes worn by his subjects are similar in rendition, while the details on the bodies of his subjects are painted with a mixture of both mediums. There is an application of the philosophy of natural synthesis whereby outside influences, concepts, and ideas come together in Adetula’s compositions. Colors, symbols, tones, and shades unite in the intricate paintings on the body, which include images of trees, cowries, traditional African combs, and flowers. His depictions symbolize tradition, life, belief systems, emotions, and transitions. Creativity for him, “is a powerful tool for exploring deeply, the cultural heritage of the people. His inklings are carefully arranged to reflect the impact of this ideology in the fullness of time. This is clearly evident in his works such as "A Lady with the Swag" and "The Way We Are." Inspired by a fertile imagination, Adetula ’s evocative paintings simultaneously address contemporary cultural life by adding tinges of the past. This vision helps him grasp the clear essence and meaning of his subjects and themes, and by so doing makes clear his message of giving life to his art, and giving his artful messages to society.