Akanji Bolaji

My Artificial Gaze -21st Century, Contemporary, Surrealism, African Nature Woman

2024

A portrait can tell a story, my artistic pieces highlight the exploration of the complexity of human identity, space and existence. My imagery embodies the unconventional expression ...

Nudity in art has historically been a contentious subject, often raising questions about beauty standards, objectification, and the human form. In "In My Solitude," however, Edwin treats nudity with sensitivity and purpose. The nude figure, devoid of clothing and external trappings, serves as a metaphor for vulnerability and raw authenticity. It becomes a powerful statement on embracing one's true self, stripped of societal expectations and external judgments. The choice of the yoga position is not arbitrary in Edwin's composition. Yoga has long been associated with self-discovery, inner peace, and spiritual enlightenment. The woman's serene posture exudes a sense of calmness and introspection. Through this position, Edwin suggests that solitude and self-reflection are integral to personal growth and inner strength. It encourages viewers to embrace moments of introspection and find solace in their own thoughts, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of themselves. Edwin's meticulous attention to detail and symbolism further enriches the narrative of "In My Solitude." The subtle play of light and shadow highlights the contours of the woman's body, accentuating the vulnerability and emotional depth captured in the artwork. The artist's skillful brushwork evokes a sense of intimacy, drawing the viewer into the private world of the subject. The title itself, "In My Solitude," adds an additional layer of meaning. Solitude, often associated with loneliness, is reimagined as a source of inner strength and self-discovery. Edwin invites viewers to contemplate the transformative power of spending time alone, away from distractions and truly connecting with oneself. Crixtover Edwin...

Bon Voyage (Paper Planes) is a mixed media painting (acrylic, gold enamel, charcoal, pencil and ink on archival cotton paper, signed 'afn' lower right and framed in a contemporary black moulding. Anne...

Carmelo Niño Carolina niña con Marina, 2021 Acrylic on canvas 350 x 200 cm 137.7 x 78.7 in. The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist. Carmelo Niño, a Venezuelan artist originally from Maracaibo, Zulia State, an oil-producing region of Venezuela, is today one of the most outstanding painters in the plastic arts landscape in the country. Many years have passed since his birth in 1951 to the present, when he inaugurates this August 2022, a major exhibition at the Ascaso Gallery in Miami, with paintings from different dates resulting from the permanent and daily work of reflection, physical and intellectual, that he has always pursued in his creative life. Without neglecting a single moment of day-to-day life to be in front of the medium-sized canvas on the easel or of larger canvas hanging on a wall, he works in his large studio in the area of El Junco, outside the capital city of Caracas, surrounded by lush green vegetation, with a wonderful climate of pleasant temperature and poetic mist that invites to the reverie and glorification of his life as a painter. From a very early age Niño and his family discovered his vocation for drawing, a discipline in which he showed a special disposition and talent. From this moment on he dedicates his life to art, to the practice of painting, starting from a fantastic and strange world of fantasy, close to surrealism, unfailingly influenced by the circus of fantasy owned by his mother and a musician father. These circumstances will shape the artist's life. His traces and influences from the beginning will be present in his creative work, especially through the memories of the infinite curiosity to look, touch and be enraptured by the strange furniture and objects from his mother's circus that he knew were deposited in a room of the house. This universe of fantasy will leave an indelible mark on his subconscious and will serve as the thematic and artistic support for all his work. In an interview conducted by the critic Roberto Montero Castro in 1977, Carmelo Niño states, "the symbols of my painting come from the everyday life". His life has been one of continuous work and effort. At the age of fifteen he enrolled in the School of Arts of Maracaibo, graduated three years later, 1966, and immediately, with a scholarship, he travelled to Spain, took a few courses at the San Fernando Academy in Madrid, strengthened his preparation in art workshops and in frequent visits to the big museums of this European capital. With a sensitive gaze he penetrates the mysteries of masterpieces of the great artists who have made the universal history of art. His life as a painter has been intense, of intense study, preparation and work. With much composure and modesty he talks about his life and his artistic production, recognized not only in Venezuela, but also internationally. His participation in exhibitions began in 1969 and as early as 1970 he held his first individual exhibition at the Fine Arts Center of Maracaibo. From these dates onwards successes started to come, with the participation in collective and individual exhibitions, in Venezuela and abroad, as well as the awards from 1971, when he won the Scholarship Award at the First National Salon of Young Artists in Maracay, Aragua State; in 1972 he was awarded the Second Prize at the Regional Salon of Maracaibo. 1975 is the year of awards, he received the First Prize at the IV Salon of Young Artists in Caracas; the Aurelio Rodriguez Award at the IV Avellan Salon in Caracas and the First Prize at the Salon of Young Zulian Artists in Maracaibo; he also participated in the group exhibition of History of Painting in Venezuela, at Casa de Las Americas, Havana, Cuba; and in 1976 he was invited by Jose Gomez Sicre to take part in the exhibition of Venezuelan painting...