Artist, Aize Paul Continues Show with ‘Above All, Women Without’

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Having successfully opened its fourth solo photography exhibition titled ‘Eren Oghe Okhaza – Ekpo Oghe ule Obaba’ (a safe place to find a purpose for your story) with a two-day private exhibition on March 24-25, artist, Aize Paul is set for a continuation on the 15th of April, which in all is meant to showcase his 99-image series.

“Basically the exhibition is about life. So this new show titled ‘Above All, Women Without’ is a continuation of the first installations with Alliance Française. So this is bringing in balance to the show, continuity as well,” Aize revealed. Speaking on his style of art and choice on solo exhibition, Aize said “I feel like with my art, I can’t exactly have a joint exhibition.”

He explains: “It’s not just because I started off solo, it’s just continuing my craft and I know how I want people to interpret and perceive my art. So, having a group show to me is something I have never looked forward to. I think I may be looking forward to. I would rather just stick to doing a solo artist. It’s something that I can express my art better. I mean I respect other Nigerian artists don’t get me wrong.”

For this show, Aize will bring in two additional prints with the already 56 virtual works. “But in the physical space we just bring in two female prints into the installations which already exist.” The physical and virtual display infuses art, technology, and spirituality. The ongoing exhibition is organized by Aize’s RA Management NYC, in collaboration with Alliance Française, Lagos.

Guests, art aficionados had colourful experience with the physical and virtual platforms; a surreal feeling kind of having 10 virtual rooms, each room having images on display. This is following the successful debut of his solo photography exhibition called “Frozen Choices, Sacred Space” in 2020. Aize describes his journey thus far: “I shot my first series during the lockdown and it’s been a glide ever since.

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

Aize’s art streak has seen him traverse Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya. A law graduate from Benson Idahosa University Nigeria, with a decade-long past in the fashion industry as a Creative Director and Fashion Stylist.