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Sam Ebohon’s latest
solo exhibition, ‘Fragments’, opened on Friday, September 24 at Omenka
Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos. Twenty five new works by the artist, winner of
the 2009 edition of the Caterina de Medici Painting Competition, were
on display in the exhibition, the opening event of which recorded a
large turnout of guests.

Ebohon’s
colleagues, Ben Osaghae; Olu Ajayi; secretary general, Society of
Nigerian Artists (SNA), Dotun Alabi, and curator of Omenka Gallery,
Oliver Enwonwu, were among those at the opening ceremony.

Vice chair, Lagos
SNA, Stella Awoh declared the exhibition open. She did not waste time
on formalities as she promptly ushered in viewers to see the visual
feast that had been laid out for them. Some viewers lingered while
appreciating the works done in the artist’s unique crisscross linear
strokes that gives them a somewhat abstract touch feel.

Arranged under
themes like Family, Work, Love, and Beauty, works displayed include
‘Adam and Eve’; ‘Still One’; ‘Rain and Shelter I and II’; ‘Curvature’;
‘Engrossed’; ‘Survival Strategies’ and ‘Triumphant entry’.

The works, Ebohon
later told NEXT in a chat, are offerings from his heart. He revealed
that his two favourite works on display are ‘Adam and Eve’ and ‘Still
One’. He explained that he conceptualised ‘Adam and Eve’ from scratch.
The painting, which shows a male and female figure in the process of
merging, also holds another meaning for the artist “The work is an
imaginative composition of man cleaving to his wife and not letting go.
If Adam held on to Eve, we wouldn’t be in the trouble we are in today,”
he said.

In ‘Still One’ a
man and a woman lie together but face opposite directions. “The
painting is called ‘Still One’ because couples quarrel but one cannot
remove himself from his wife,” the painter said. He also explained why
he titled the exhibition ‘Fragments’.

“One thing that runs through my works is strokes made into fragments; if you remove one fragment it changes everything.”

Kelani Abass, 2010
winner of the Caterina de Medici Painting Competition who attended the
opening said of the show, “I think the works are wonderful. The artist
knows what he wants in his works. Based on the title of the exhibition,
I can see the fragments in the way that he uses the medium; I think the
exhibition is a good one. His style really makes him unique in Nigeria.
I have not seen anyone in Nigeria who has such a style.”

Artist, Kehinde
Oso, also showered praises on the Ebohon. “In most of the works, you
can see good craftsmanship. The artist made good use of light and
shade. Exhibitions are not about having big sizes, and the sizes of the
works are moderate.”

Speaking on his
style, Ebohon confesses that though he is known for his unique style,
he is certain other people are practising variations of it. “Somewhere,
somehow, you will see other derivatives in some other part of the
world. Also, I will tell you not to look at the title but the works,
that’s the way to truly enjoy them. The paintings will tell you things
I have not added.”

Born 44 years ago,
Ebohon holds a Higher National Diploma in Painting from the Yaba
College of Technology and a Teacher Training Certificate from the
Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. He is a member of the SNA
and the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GPFAN). His
works go straight to the heart of the matter but still leave plenty to
the imagination

The works are available for sale; and rices range from N200,000 to
N400,000.. ‘Fragments’ is at the Omenka Gallery, 24, Ikoyi Crescent,
Ikoyi, Lagos, until October 8.