Kemi Onabule, Provider, 2021
Monoprint with gouache, 29.5 x 21cm (unframed)
Kemi Onabule’s artistic practice – in her words – ‘aims to send the viewer to a time where we, as humans, are close to nature and engaged in a deeper understanding of our purpose as guardians of the world we live in.’ Her vibrant imagery is characterised by lush foliage which is often inhabited by figures inspired by Ancient Greek and Minoan sculpture. These figures are intentionally devoid of any signifiers of cultural identity; rather, they represent an exploration of wider ideas around identity and belonging.
This is one of a small number of unique prints that directly refer to Kemi’s personal experience of recently becoming a mother. Raw and emotive, it has hand-painted areas that contrast with Kemi’s looser, linear style. On the back of the work, the printed image has been drawn in pencil and biro in reverse, showing the working process; it is also signed and dated here. In the artist’s words; ‘my work on paper can be a more intimate and tactile way of engaging with my subject matter.’
Kemi studied painting at Wimbledon College of Art receiving her BA in 2016. Since then, she has exhibited her work widely in London and internationally including a solo exhibition at Guts Gallery in 2020. She was shortlisted for the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Award in 2013, the Ingram Young Artist Prize in 2017 and the Hix Award in 2017. Oliver Projects has exhibited her works on paper in two group exhibitions and also at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in 2021. Kemi’s work was exhibited by Night Gallery, Los Angeles, Beers Gallery, London and Delphian Gallery, London, all in early 2022. A solo exhibition, ‘Arcadia’, is presented by Sim Smith Gallery in London until 1st October 2022. She has recently re-located from south east London to Bedford.
Monoprint with gouache, 29.5 x 21cm (unframed)
Kemi Onabule’s artistic practice – in her words – ‘aims to send the viewer to a time where we, as humans, are close to nature and engaged in a deeper understanding of our purpose as guardians of the world we live in.’ Her vibrant imagery is characterised by lush foliage which is often inhabited by figures inspired by Ancient Greek and Minoan sculpture. These figures are intentionally devoid of any signifiers of cultural identity; rather, they represent an exploration of wider ideas around identity and belonging.
This is one of a small number of unique prints that directly refer to Kemi’s personal experience of recently becoming a mother. Raw and emotive, it has hand-painted areas that contrast with Kemi’s looser, linear style. On the back of the work, the printed image has been drawn in pencil and biro in reverse, showing the working process; it is also signed and dated here. In the artist’s words; ‘my work on paper can be a more intimate and tactile way of engaging with my subject matter.’
Kemi studied painting at Wimbledon College of Art receiving her BA in 2016. Since then, she has exhibited her work widely in London and internationally including a solo exhibition at Guts Gallery in 2020. She was shortlisted for the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Award in 2013, the Ingram Young Artist Prize in 2017 and the Hix Award in 2017. Oliver Projects has exhibited her works on paper in two group exhibitions and also at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in 2021. Kemi’s work was exhibited by Night Gallery, Los Angeles, Beers Gallery, London and Delphian Gallery, London, all in early 2022. A solo exhibition, ‘Arcadia’, is presented by Sim Smith Gallery in London until 1st October 2022. She has recently re-located from south east London to Bedford.
Monoprint with gouache, 29.5 x 21cm (unframed)
Kemi Onabule’s artistic practice – in her words – ‘aims to send the viewer to a time where we, as humans, are close to nature and engaged in a deeper understanding of our purpose as guardians of the world we live in.’ Her vibrant imagery is characterised by lush foliage which is often inhabited by figures inspired by Ancient Greek and Minoan sculpture. These figures are intentionally devoid of any signifiers of cultural identity; rather, they represent an exploration of wider ideas around identity and belonging.
This is one of a small number of unique prints that directly refer to Kemi’s personal experience of recently becoming a mother. Raw and emotive, it has hand-painted areas that contrast with Kemi’s looser, linear style. On the back of the work, the printed image has been drawn in pencil and biro in reverse, showing the working process; it is also signed and dated here. In the artist’s words; ‘my work on paper can be a more intimate and tactile way of engaging with my subject matter.’
Kemi studied painting at Wimbledon College of Art receiving her BA in 2016. Since then, she has exhibited her work widely in London and internationally including a solo exhibition at Guts Gallery in 2020. She was shortlisted for the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year Award in 2013, the Ingram Young Artist Prize in 2017 and the Hix Award in 2017. Oliver Projects has exhibited her works on paper in two group exhibitions and also at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in 2021. Kemi’s work was exhibited by Night Gallery, Los Angeles, Beers Gallery, London and Delphian Gallery, London, all in early 2022. A solo exhibition, ‘Arcadia’, is presented by Sim Smith Gallery in London until 1st October 2022. She has recently re-located from south east London to Bedford.
