Duke Asidere
| Duke Asidere | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:1961 Lagos, Nigeria |
| 🏡 Residence | |
| 💼 Occupation | Artist |
Duke Asidere (born 1961) is a Nigerian Contemporary and Visual artist. Mentored by Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya and taught by Gani Odutokun who had a profound impact on his life and artistic expression. Asidere expresses himself with bold colours through a wide variety of genres including pencil work, engravings, oil and acrylic, pastels and even transparencies. He was raised in a household of women, which is reflected in his recurring theme of the female form in his portrait and face series. His architecture series analyses African land and cityscapes, and his number and spray series have underlying political statements.[1][2]
Early life[edit]
Asidere was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting, achieving a first class honours in Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1988, as well as a Masters of Fine Arts in 1990. He subsequently proceeded to teach painting, drawing and art history at the Federal Auchi Polytechnic for five years before starting full-time studio work in Lagos in 1995.[1]
Artistic Practice[edit]
Asidere’s work engages contemporary African politics. Through visual metaphors, the artist comments on the everyday human drama that surrounds him; political, social, psychological or cultural. Furthermore, adding human drama, he infuses his sketches with irony and humour.
Asidere’s broad oeuvre ranges from headless or limbless figures and faces of strangely hybrid beings to densely populated urban landscapes, accentuated with thick strokes of vivid colour. He has recently turned to car enamel paint, which he applies with a spray gun to produce emotionally charged works that retain figurative subject matter, and at the same time emphasize abstract qualities. Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of Asidere’s style is his simplicity of form and expressive line, which he achieves with an economy of means.[3] In his writing, the famous Nigerian artist, Gani Odutokun (1946 – 1995) described Asidere’s paintings as similar to “that of many older masters.” “This is the lens of simplicity – the lens of sincerity,” wrote Mr. Odutokun, a former Head of Department of Fine Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. “Duke possesses the kind of sincerity that has brought enormous recognition to artists (such as abstract expressionists like Philip Guston & De Kooning). These are artists who feel the urge to say something and will not like to be inhibited no matter how unpalatable to the society, what they might have to say.[4]
Exhibitions and Auctions[edit]
Solo Exhibitions:
2017: Divergence, Retro Africa, ABUJA, NIGERIA.
2016: Mood, Colour, Harmony, Splendens Factory, PARIS, FRANCE
2015: Conversations, Photogarage, LAGOS
2015: The Artist And His Muse, Omenka Gallery, LAGOS
2008: Private Viewing, Pan African University, LAGOS
2002: The World According To Duke Asidere, Nimbus Gallery, LAGOS
1995: The New Oeuvre, The Embassy Of Lebanon, LAGOS
Group Exhibitions:
2016: Afro Modernism, Retro Africa, ABUJA
2015: Infinite Treasure, Terra Kulture, LAGOS
2015: The Contemporaries, The Wheatbaker, LAGOS
2015: New Conversations, Thought Pyramid Gallery, ABUJA
2014: Transcending Boundaries, Mall Galleries, LONDON
2014: Transcending Boundaries, The Gallery In Cork Street, LONDON
2014: What The Eagle Saw, Thought Pyramid Gallery, ABUJA
2014: Distinction 2, Terra Kulture, LAGOS
TH 2013: 13 ANNUAL PASTEL EXHIBITION, MYDRIM GALLERY, LAGOS
2013: Distinction, Terra Kulture, LAGOS
2012: Convergence, Svengali Designs, LAGOS
2011: The Collectors Series I, The Wheatbaker, LAGOS
2011: The Last Pictures Show, PARIS, FRANCE
2010: Last Pictures Show VII, TERRA KULTURE, LAGOS
2009: Last Pictures Show VI, Maison Du Parti, DOUALA, CAMEROON
2001: Velvety Dreams, MYDRIM GALLERY, LAGOS
2001: Women, Muson Center, LAGOS
2001: Center Stage, Sheraton Hotel, ABUJA
2001: A History Of Contemporary Nigerian Art, Muson Center, LAGOS.
2000: Beyond Aesthetics, Nigerite Marketing Training School, LAGOS
1999: Amost Tutola Show, National Gallery Of Arts, LAGOS
1997: The Times For Books, French Cultural Center, LAGOS
1995: New Currents, Russian Cultural Center, LAGOS
1992: The Auchi Art School, National Museum, LAGOS
1992: The Tripartite Blend, National Museum, LAGOS
1992: Steel On Canvas, Russian Cultural Center, LAGOS
Selected Auctions:
2016: “The Syndrome Pastel”, Terra Kulture (SOLD)
2014: “Untitled And Yellow (PAIR)”, Arthouse (SOLD)
2013: “Prepaid Meters”, Arthouse, (SOLD)
2013: “Palm Groove For Us All”, Bonhams, (SOLD)
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Duke Asidere – Retro Africa". retroafrica.com.
- ↑ "Duke Asidere - SMO Contemporary Art".
- ↑ "Duke Asidere - Omenka Gallery".
- ↑ "Duke Asidere's Mental Space opens July 4 - Premium Times Nigeria". June 30, 2016.
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