GR Gallery, New York, United States
02 Mar 2023 - 26 Mar 2023
David Olatoye and Victor Olaoye,'Just like Sisters' (Detail), Acrylic, dyes, pastels, pen and fabric collage on canvas, 60 x 40 in. Courtesy of GR Gallery.
GR Gallery presents Times Are Changing, an extensive duo exhibition featuring the latest production of Nigerian artists David Olatoye Babatunde and Victor Olaoye, integrated in the same event for the first time. The show will reveal 18 acute artworks, executed with the artists signature techniques and expressly created for this occurrence, designed to guide the visitor into a rare cultural journey represented by noble characters, inspired by the artists’s personal involvements and akin by colorful and aesthetically sophisticated traditional ensemble.
Olaoye Victor and Olatoye David have been good friends for very long time and almost grew up together, they’ve been influencing each other practice during the years and this close relationship strongly inspired the duality of the show. They have been working closely, almost together, for about one year in the preparation of this exhibition, and sealed this collaboration with a preeminent artwork, Just Like Sisters, executed together, on the same canvas.
Times are Changing seeks to reveal a sense of exploring the relationship between people and shared spaces. The works in the exhibition capture moments in time, each representing a chamber of reflection, all solely painted from the interaction of the artists with their immediate environment, family and culture.
Representing the artists cultural and historical context, Olatoye and Olaoye explore times are changing as an evolution and perception of the spaces and culture they interact with. David and Victor examine figuration with a focus on the figures identity and scenes. Duality, vibrant colors, figurative compositions, abstraction and imaginary landscape reveal sameness of the artists thoughts expressed within their works. Motivated by this sameness, explored within their work and deeply rooted in their personal history, David and Victor’s works are connected to the past, as they both look into their background, and the evolution of cultural perception and personal experiences, with its connection to the present, looking forward with hope to what the future holds.
