Yinka Olatunbosun
A collaborative art project by Nigerian photographer Bolaji Alonge and Ottograph, an artist from Netherlands called “6 Hours” is set to attract the attention of the Lagos audience. The show which parades paintings, street art and photography is held at DIDI Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos.
6 HOURS interrogates the contrasts and similarities of life in the home cities of the duo, Amsterdam and Lagos – two cities with a six-hour flight time between them – to deliver a narrative that is thought-provoking, engaging and inspiring. Expectedly, the exhibition explores themes such as life in a megapolis on the seashore, dance, music, masquerades, freedom of expression among others. The exhibition is organised with the support of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lagos.
The artworks will be produced during an immersive art residency in Lagos. It is the first time the artists are working together – combining their passion for street art and street photography.
Bolaji Alonge explains, “I aim to capture the everyday reality of any society I get immersed in, with Lagos, Nigeria mostly presented. In the course of documenting our history, I take photos of people, architecture, animals, our busy lives, nature and the ecosystem of my environment.”
For Ottograph, street art “is a form of total freedom in art, you can do it whenever, wherever, to spread your message and creativity.” It is not bound by rules.
“Life for many today is on the phone; art is what brings us to the moment,’’ he explained. “The power of the art of photography in reflecting who we are goes a long way in boosting the confidence of a people.” He continues, “I believe in spreading the knowledge of how we live today, using the internet, sharing our beauty and pride with the rest of the world. One of the best ways to document history is through photography, it brings the past back to life.” Ottograph said a lot of the symbolism in his murals constitutes a long ongoing story. He wants people to come up with their own interpretation when looking at his murals and paintings.
Alonge believes strongly in collaboration as it widens the artist’s scope and presents more opportunities. “From my experience, the right collaboration amplifies the message jointly put forward by artists. Collaborations gives the audience and collectors more to enjoy and experience.”
6 HOURS exhibition is a blend of two cultures, Nigeria and the Netherlands and incidentally, it is the first time that Ottograph, would visit Nigeria. The Dutch large-scale muralist has been slinging paint since the age of ten, making his mark on the streets of Amsterdam to become an internationally acclaimed artist in the street art movement. His work is animated, captivating and inspires the search for truth.
On his own or together with his fellow artist/friends Ottograph has also set up several successful projects such as CIA (Central Illustration Agency), as well as the KMDG, a group of artists with a background in illustration, graffiti and street-art from around the world. The Modern Art Museum of Antwerpen (Belgium) is home to a giant Ottograph mural. Otto also painted murals in Moscow, Tokyo, Berlin, New York and San Francisco. Ottograph has worked for clients like Greenpeace, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Mars, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz. He recently took part in the celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop in NYC.
Bolaji Alonge is a Nigerian journalist, artist, photographer and actor from Lagos, Nigeria. Also known as Eyes of a Lagos Boy, he has two decades of experience in documenting history, always looking for beauty where it is least expected. He captures the Lagos life from unexpected angles.
Since 2016, his website has developed from a personal blog to a news portal with a focus on culture and lifestyle, from the African perspective. Since 2017 he has presented his work in a series of individual and collaborative exhibitions in Lagos, NYC and Brighton (UK) to critical acclaim, including “Greener Pastures” in 2021 and “Iconic Lagos” in 2022 at DIDI Museum.
