"Transcendence: Exploring the Boundaries of Art and Perception"

Mar 19, 2023

"Pushing the Limits: How Artistic Transcendence Challenges our Perceptions of Reality"

Odenton, Maryland Mar 18, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - Tribes Art Africa gallery TAAG Presents "Transcendence: Exploring the Boundaries of Art and Perception showcases the exceptional works of six talented artists: Carlos A. Solis, Eyitayo Alagbe, Toju Clarke, Toba Kayode Samuel, Olaniyi Omotayo, and Toluwalase Raymond. This unique exhibition, which is being held exclusively online on Artsy.net, aims to challenge conventional thinking and inspire a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Each artist featured in Transcendence approaches their craft with a distinct perspective, but all share a common goal: to push the boundaries of what we think is possible with art. Through their work, they explore themes of identity, memory, perception, and the interconnectedness of all things.

Carlos A. Solis's vibrant surreal paintings use bold colors and abstract shapes to explore the complexity of the human mind. Carlos states "In the infinite world of my imagination, I tried to convey and stimulate the mythical and spiritual elements of visual expression.

My passion for painting started with the magnificence elements of nature, fauna, and flora, and its natural beauty that involves its
selective conditions. For example, the majestic animals of the Amazon or Indians from Venezuela (Guajiros). However, I always
try to expand my work to other areas of reality and with a spiritual meaning; therefore, I, occasionally, have the tendency to go
from one extreme to another in order to explore, and show the range of styles and techniques by creating the most beautiful and
delicate components of life to the most complex and strange art".

Fortunately, I have the pleasure and the opportunity to experience the richness of many cultures in South and North America,
which allow me to expand my imagination even more; it also helps me to understand the differences and similarities between both
worlds. My work reflects the distinctness of my artistic perception from those experiences, which provides vivid colors and
physical details in order to make something visually pleasing, grotesque, or unfamiliar to look at. Furthermore, I also try to create
awareness and express an opinion about our delicate habitat and lack of knowledge about cultural and racial diversity in S.
America.

Eyitayo Alagbe's mixed media pieces combine, painting, and digital manipulation to create surreal, dreamlike portraits. Toju Clarke's Sgrafitto (scratching on canvas) uses painstaking efforts to create thought-provoking pieces that challenge our preconceived notions of beauty and value.

Eyitayo state " As a naturally introverted individual, I have found immense freedom of expression through my art. Through my coals and canvases, I explore the intricacies of African lifestyles, delving into the deep emotions, strength, struggles, perseverance, and beauty that characterize this complex culture.

My work is a delicate observation and capture of innocence, simplicity, and naivety in children, aimed at giving them a sense of belonging in society. I also seek to highlight the inexpressible and underrated beauty of black women, using my art to showcase the intricacies of their lives and experiences.

In my charcoals, I deliberately and precisely blend semi-tones of joy, love, hope, and peace, weaving together themes of beauty, brotherhood, unity, and friendship. Through my art, I aim to showcase the enduring treasures that Africa holds, including her unique customs, communal and mammalian inclinations, and her enviable dark and strong skin.

My technique, which I have dubbed "Ayoism," deviates from traditional artistic approaches and stands perpendicularly along the borders of Impressionism and Harlem Renaissance. When creating my pieces, I begin by studying my models in detail, paying careful attention to their facial expressions and contours. I then create faint sketches with my charcoal pencil and begin the meticulous application of evenly-blended powdered charcoal to the flatly placed canvas. This is followed by a fixative agent for the permanence of the powdered charcoal.

Next, I use my charcoal pencil again to create tonal effects and end the skin area with a white pencil to render the lightest spots on the artwork. I paint the clothes and background with acrylic and then deliberately apply sharp, thick, and calculated strokes of color pigments on the face, skin, and sometimes clothes of my subject. The result is a distinctive, slippery manner that makes my art pieces a delight to the eye".

Toba Kayode Samuel's intricate paintings use the human form to explore themes of interconnectedness and spirituality. Olaniyi Omotayo's colorful impasto and paintings explore the beauty of African culture and the resilience of the human spirit. Toluwalase Raymond's cinematographically surreal layers of imagery create rich, textured pieces that reflect the complexity of the world around us.

Toluwalase Raymond Awolaja, also known as Tolu Raymond, is a contemporary visual artist from Nigeria. Born in Lagos on September 10th, 1997, Tolu's love for art began in his childhood and has since blossomed into a dynamic career. He pursued further education in art at YABATECH, graduating with an HND in painting in 2018.

Tolu's art is a reflection of his ability to convey his emotions in thought-provoking ways, showcasing his versatility through various mediums and techniques, such as acrylic, charcoal, pastels, and ink. As a social satirist, his art explores broader issues of self-exploration, relationships, and identity, connecting with enthusiasts on more than one level.

In his work, Tolu explores themes of self-image, identity formation, black history, gender constructs, and the impact of society and government on untold stories. He gained experience as an intern curator under the late Mrs. Bisi Silva at the African Culture and Design Festival in 2016.

Tolu has participated in various exhibitions and workshops, including ATHENS OPEN ART at ART NUMBER 23 in 2021, FAMILIAR STRANGERS BY VACANT MUSEUM in 2021, a group show by LASMARA in Hamburg, Germany in 2022, and A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING curated by AWORANKA in 2022. He was also featured in publications such as THE SPARK NG, ALTER WALL HAMBURG, and ART BEAT NG.

Through his dynamic and thought-provoking art, Tolu Raymond is establishing himself as a rising star in the Nigerian contemporary art scene, with a unique voice that speaks to the complexities of the human experience.

The Head Curator of TAAG Gallery, Mr. Rodney Asikhia states that together, the works in Transcendence create a truly immersive and thought-provoking experience. This exhibition challenges us to question our assumptions about what art is and can be and encourages us to see the world in new and exciting ways.

Transcendence: Exploring the Boundaries of Art and Perception opens exclusively online on Artsy.net on March 23, 2023, and runs until April 23, 2023. This is a must-see exhibition for anyone interested in contemporary art and the power of the human imagination.

Whether you're an art lover, a collector, or simply looking for inspiration, "transcendence: Exploring the Boundaries of Art and Perception" is sure to be an unforgettable experience. For more information and to view the exhibition online, please visit the TAAG Gallery website at www.tribesartafrica.com.