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Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
24 x 18 inches (š³šæ 610 x 460 mm)
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
Ademola, WhakatÄne, Aotearoa New Zealand
created with the permission of the model
I met Ademola on my first full day in New Zealand. He was hanging out on a weekend morning in a nature area near the WhakatÄne River. We got to talking, and he said that he was originally from Laos, Nigeria. Heās a PhD civil engineer working in WhakatÄne.
Later, while walking to the bus stop, I happened to run into him again outside his flat. He gave me a ride over to Åhope to visit an art gallery I was thinking of showing my work in. He shared about his family here in New Zealand and his separation from his wife and children living in Auckland.
It was a major synchronicity, and I got to show him the final painting. He was happy and surprised by it. Heās saving up to buy it off me after next payday.
The use of bold colors in this painting highlights Ademolaās big personality. The bright green and yellow backdrop captures the vibrancy of the plants growing around the pond where I took his photo. The two energies of the nature and his personality together create a tension the viewer can easily get lost in.
Exhibition History
2023 - Portraits of Community: One-word Stories, The Art House, WhakatÄne,
Aotearoa New Zealand
24 x 18 inches (š³šæ 610 x 460 mm)
Acrylic on canvas, 2023
Ademola, WhakatÄne, Aotearoa New Zealand
created with the permission of the model
I met Ademola on my first full day in New Zealand. He was hanging out on a weekend morning in a nature area near the WhakatÄne River. We got to talking, and he said that he was originally from Laos, Nigeria. Heās a PhD civil engineer working in WhakatÄne.
Later, while walking to the bus stop, I happened to run into him again outside his flat. He gave me a ride over to Åhope to visit an art gallery I was thinking of showing my work in. He shared about his family here in New Zealand and his separation from his wife and children living in Auckland.
It was a major synchronicity, and I got to show him the final painting. He was happy and surprised by it. Heās saving up to buy it off me after next payday.
The use of bold colors in this painting highlights Ademolaās big personality. The bright green and yellow backdrop captures the vibrancy of the plants growing around the pond where I took his photo. The two energies of the nature and his personality together create a tension the viewer can easily get lost in.
Exhibition History
2023 - Portraits of Community: One-word Stories, The Art House, WhakatÄne,
Aotearoa New Zealand