Details:
① Artwork:
A Different View
This painting depicts a young man wearing a cropped floral shirt, dark blue pants and a bangle on his wrist, adorned with a beaded necklace and belt. This firm, bold figure has a style and character that runs contrary to popular associations with and opinions of masculinity, especially the idea of the “femme man”—one who is vulnerable and weak in his immediate society.
Consisting of both acrylic and oil paints, Daniel Adenitan’s work draws influence from his environment, historic events and the lifestyle of Africans in general. The artist’s compositions explore the lifestyle and fashion of Africans in the 1970s by featuring figures with afro hairstyles and clothing that captures the common style of that era. The illustrated figures are a combination of friends and strangers, as well as people invented from the artist's imagination. Adenitan's narratives bring a spotlight to the vibrance, excitement and mood that was shared in the 70s, reminding viewers of its cultural and ethnic significance. While creating these works, the artist is surrounded by music and a surplus of natural light.
Specs:
③ Artist:
Centered around the lifestyle and fashion of Africans from the 1970s, Daniel Adenitan’s narrative paintings depict a combination of friends, strangers and figures from his imagination. While surrounded by music and a surplus of light, the artist uses both acrylic and oil paints to create works that draw influence from historic events and African lives and culture. Adenitan’s work spotlights the vibrance, excitement and shared mood of a culturally significant era.
BIO:
Daniel Adenitan grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. The artist received a BA in Creative Arts from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.
Group exhibitions that have shown Adenitan’s work include: Next of Kin at Thought Pyramid in Lagos, Nigeria (2022); Souls and Spirits: Group Exhibition at Voltz Clarke Gallery in New York City (2022); Fluorescence: Group Exhibition at Mitochondria Gallery in Houston, Texas (2022); Open Day for Hand Crafters in Lagos, Nigeria, (2019); and 51 minds at the University of Lagos in Nigeria (2019).