Aize Paul Examines ‘Self’ in Upcoming Exhibition, ‘Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between’

Mary Nnah

After a year characterised with altering realities and discoveries, African artist, Aize Paul is set to hold a second solo photography exhibition titled, “Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between”.

This is following a successful debut of his first solo photography exhibition titled, “Frozen Choices, Sacred Space” in 2020.

Describing his journey so far, Aize said “I shot my first series during the lockdown and it’s been a glide ever since.

“Although I already experimented with fashion photography, capturing humans for humanity is certainly one of my life purposes and having art pioneers such as Nicholas Logsdale, Caroline De Beaufort, Katie Barker and few others approving of my works, definitely brought a different sense of purpose to my journey as a photography artist”.

Slated for October 29 to November 6, 2021 in Lagos, “Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between”, begins as introspection with the self, and furthers into a journey before birth and how our expectations, dreams, hopes, all become, it conceptualises capturing life from before till the end.

According to organisers, the exhibition represents the uninhibitedness of the soul prior to birth. The week-long exhibition is set to take place in Victoria Island, Lagos with each day having a unique activity ranging from a private viewing, general viewing and a bar pop-up.

“Clueless, as you drift fragile in forms of the most liberated versions of yourself you will ever witness; just as you precede your unrequested entry into a life-form. The dashing hopes, dreams, and ideal possibilities of 280 days before you get to be introduced to the dash.

“As your story segues into a whole identity embodied in this life-form, the dash between, is you, here, right now. Your life – awareness of it, questions from it, expectations of it; your hopes, dreams, aspirations, youthfulness, definitive moments, saddest moments, life purpose and your innate fear of the inevitable – death”, the artist noted.

Highlighting the inspiration for this exhibition and what he aims to achieve, he said, “The pre-show for me is exhibiting means to connect by creating a space solely for a spiritual, tech and art experience. I want everyone fortunate to be present at the pre-show to leave with the notion of “Self”.

Speaking further he said, “The title ‘Flares of Enthusiasm, Dash Between’, was born from a conversation with my foster mom, who is a poet and we often discuss poetry and literature basically. I must say my first title “Frozen Choices Sacred Space”, was also sourced from her”.