Abraham Ogunlende: Artists ought to break barriers

Abraham Ogunlende is a young multi-talented artist already carving a niche for himself in the arts industry in Nigeria. Popularly called Painterabe, Ogunlende, who is a graduate of Marketing from University of Philadelphia in United States of America. He is a painter, musician, actor and fashion designer. “As a painter, no matter what form of art that I express myself with, I always try to paint a picture in people’s minds,” he said.
Abraham recently had his solo exhibition entitled “Bloom” at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he exhibited 20 works in acrylic and spray paint. “They are my spontaneous style of painting, which incorporate leaves, colours and women. For me, working on nude women, is very expressive, because I love women, and I have always worked on women. In Nigeria, it is not so receptive; but, as an artist, I have to break barriers. However, it is inside of me trying to say, ‘I can do it’.”
Abraham noted that the “Bloom” exhibition stemmed from an idea he came up with early last year: “‘Bloom’ means to prosper and to be at the high point of one’s career. There was something that I thought of initially myself to bloom, but it became something I wanted for the culture and for every people that I know. To bloom in their lives is what I put at the forefront of their minds.”
Some of the titles of his works, especially the series, “Women”, which entitled “Sierra Aura’”, are woven around women and their lifestyles. “When you see a woman, you will notice the things about her,” he remarked.
Besides, the other series, “Leaves”, connotes a garden where people can plant leaves that grow and where h people can have something to do in the garden. “With these works, people are able to understand the perspective where I am coming from,” he said.
For him, art in Nigeria is changing positively, because people are becoming more receptive to arts. “They are buying more artworks, and Nigerians are becoming more art-inclined. With the help of social media, everything is becoming more amplified with the exposure out there, and I have benefited from it,” he revealed.
He declared: “I express emotions and feelings, and I’m very honest and genuine. I come with a positive message, as well as my own personal style, which isn’t like anyone else’s.” Though he described himself as Painter Abe, he is a versatile artist. “I am very artistic and that is why I want to explore other forms of art where I can incorporate painting into it,” he added.
His first exhibition was in 2013 at TerraKulture. The current exhibition is his second. He took a two-year break to develop his style. “At first, it was still very amateur, but, now, I have my style, which is growing, and that is where bloom comes in,” he explained.
Lest you forget, his first show was entitled “Culture Shock”, and it was all about someone coming from outside experiencing culture shock from Nigeria from a foreigner’s perspective of the culture. But, with “Bloom”, it is a different ball game. He said: “You have experienced the culture now, and this is what I want for the culture –for people to bloom. So, when you come and experience the show, it will register in your mind consciously or sub-consciously.”
The artistic latitude is exploited in different ways, which is why, “In Nigeria, some people will like paintings of naked women and imagines about the artist behind the paintings; but, in developed countries, they don’t even think about it. It is all about breaking barriers between art and freedom.”
In the next five years, he wants people to know Painter Abe. “I want my name to be a household name in Nigeria. I am here to stay, and hope to take my art all around the country. The exhibition will also take place in Abuja. It is exciting because people in Abuja will get a chance to experience my works.”

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