NIGERIAN sculptor, Dotun Popoola, is currently exhibiting his works in Azerbaijan.
The exhibition, ‘Reclaimed Beauty,’ opened at the Heydar Aliyev Centre on December 10, and it is expected to last till October 2025.
This exhibition, his seventh, coincides with the ‘Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan, and it aligns with the themes of the environment and climate change.
Vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, participated in the opening event, alongside the director of the centre, Anar Alakbarov.
In describing Popoola’s ‘Reclaimed Beauty’ exhibition, Dr Kehinde Adepegba of the Department of Art and Industrial Design of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, said, “Reclaimed Beauty celebrates advancement in the art of revivification. Yes, the art has been variously referred to as the art of recycling, repurposing, up-cycling, reusing and hybrid; but revivification is carefully selected and used here to accentuate the transformative, life-giving, resourceful and multi-procedure of ‘bringing again into activity and prominence’ objects that were once disused, discarded or once upon a time regarded as scraps.
Adepegba added that Popoola has emerged as the master of this genre of art by distinguishing himself in the way he creates his transcendent, energetic, synergetic, and prodigious works. “Uniquely, his works are his and he has made so much variety of this genre that keeps one wondering where the boisterous creative ingenuity is emanating from.
“Subsequently, as a role model, Popoola lighted the paths of many budding artists who were influenced by this neo-metal art, and they no longer grope in the dark alleyways of art.
“He now has artists who now model their works after his seeing him as their mentor,” the don said.
Adepegba added, “Popoola’s expressive neo-metal art since 2018 with ‘Irin-Ajo’, when he delivered himself from artistic prototyping, has underscored artistic imaginations, constructions and reconstruction, location and relocation, assemblages, and installations marrying culture with technology. These multiple procedures validate the restitution of metal scraps rescued from dumpsites, thus turning rubbish into rubies, trash into class, abasement into advancement, and gory into glory. His experience in this neo-metal art has shaped and reshaped the sculpture art landscape in Nigeria.
“This is the resultant effect of Popoola’s steadfast and vast experience, consistent and persistent in creativity, audacious and courageous in executing transcendental larger-than-life works that are not only mouth-opening but awe-inspiring as well.
“Also, his use of colour compared with others before him is much more innovative with the introduction of the impressionist palette of ocular mixture.
“Today, modernity is affecting all facets of our lives. For the arts, modernity has reduced the art practice space into a manageable size where it is now possible to transverse the universe within a spatial and virtual space and time. Dotun Popoola has taken advantage of this limitless space and time to crisscross the world as an international artist, showcasing Nigeria through his unique neo-metal art’s revivification techniques, styles, and themes. Though some of his themes are universal, the artist does not forget in Yoruba roots and indigenous knowledge, which has always underlined his critical thought process,” said Dr Adepegba.
About 30 works of Popoola are on display in the West Asian country.
Also, to signify the importance of the exhibition in the country, the centre where Popoola is exhibiting bears the name of the country’s national leader, Heydar Aliyev, and the building embodies the development of present-day Azerbaijan and its attachment to both past and the future.
READ ALSO: Sculptors offer ‘Elixir’ to national issues
