AKAA Art Fair : Intimacy of Memory, Kingsley Ayogu’s deep reflection on grief

By the editorial staff

The AKAA Art Fair (As Known As Africa) returns to Paris from October 18 to 20, 2024, for a new edition highlighting the diversity and richness of African art and its diaspora. Among the most anticipated events, Kingsley Ayogu’s solo exhibition, titled Intimacy of Memory: A Journey Through Grief, promises to captivate visitors with a profound reflection on grief and memory. Presented by The African Art Hub (TAAH), this exhibition is inspired by the book Notes on Grief by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which recounts her reflections following her father’s death in 2021.

The canvases are a marriage of colors, textures, and symbols that invite viewers to deep introspection on the fragility and power of memory

Kingsley Ayogu, known for his hyperrealistic works, takes an artistic turn with this exhibition. By combining abstraction and symbolism, he creates works that go beyond the visual to explore the complexity of emotions related to grief. The canvases are a marriage of colors, textures, and symbols that invite viewers to deep introspection on the fragility and power of memory. The works seem to capture that liminal moment between presence and absence, where memories linger and fade simultaneously.

The artist draws directly from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s narrative to infuse his works with a literary and emotional dimension. African nets, symbols of complex connections, are omnipresent. Their apparent fragility hides a robustness that reflects how memories weave and unravel in the mind. African sponges, symbols of purification and care, illustrate the slow but necessary healing after the loss of a loved one. These cultural elements give a particular depth and authenticity to the works, anchoring the exhibition in a strong African heritage.

The Intimacy of Memory exhibition journey is designed as an immersive experience. Visitors find themselves at the heart of a space where the canvases seem suspended in the air, creating an ethereal, floating atmosphere. This installation encourages the public to approach the works closely, diving into the details of the layers of paint, searching for hidden meanings and shared feelings. Through this arrangement, Ayogu offers a space for meditation, where everyone can find their own interpretation of grief and memory.

Ayogu describes his creative process as deeply spiritual, almost meditative. He explains that he enters a trance-like state when painting, letting his emotions guide his brushstrokes. This intimate connection with his art is felt in every piece, imbued with a soothing and introspective energy. Intimacy of Memory is not just a series of paintings but a true invitation to reflect on loss and find peace in memories.

To provide an academic perspective on the exhibition, Dr. Odile Goubali Talon, a specialist in African literature, wrote an essay accompanying the event. She examines how Ayogu’s art and Chimamanda Adichie’s writings address the theme of grief in a way deeply rooted in African traditions. According to her, these works emphasize the importance of community, shared memory, and collective healing in the grieving process.

The exhibition, supported by The African Art Hub, testifies to this organization’s commitment to promoting African talents on the global art scene. By presenting Intimacy of Memory at the AKAA Art Fair, TAAH reaffirms its role as a catalyst for artists from the continent, helping to amplify their voices and tell their stories beyond geographical borders.

For more information:
www.taah.co.uk
https://akaafair.com/