National Gallery of Nigeria, Lagos, recently opened an exhibition titled The Stone Speaks.
The Stone Speaks is a retrospective solo exhibition displaying veteran stone sculptor, Oladapo Afolayan art pieces popular for their detailed carvings, engagement with issues of Nigerian environment, and their tripartite dialogue – with the man within, the stone itself, and his tools of creation.
Displayed as part of the exhibition are sculptures like the 2.25’ marble cast Despondent – which speaks to the state of the nation, Mother Care, Vessel, Where Comes Our Help and Dialogue. There are also tributary pieces such as Tribute To Chibok Girls, Tribute To Leah Sharibu. Both serve as poignant reminders of the tragedies that have befallen the abducted young girls, some of whom, including Sharibu are still held captive by the local terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Speaking of his craft, the sculptor said his love for sculpting began in primary III, where he first carved a walking stick. Upon admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, he specialized in sculpture, and had since 1988 been lecturing in sculpture at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, and explored stone sculpting.
“In my early years, I didn’t see people didn’t carve stones anymore. Mountains like Zuma Rock are reduced to portraits in the US. With that I felt challenged. If stone carving technology has advanced in those places, what happened to our own? They are all gone. So, I decided to explore stone sculpting. I have participated in over 40 group exhibitions and participated in two workshops in Italy.”
Commending the artist’s craftmanship, art collector and founder, Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Prince Yemisi Shyllon said, “Stone carving is a challenging medium to work with, more so than wood or bronze. He is carving wonders. If he exhibited in art galleries in Switzerland or the Johannesburg Art Fair, he would stand out. International collectors would not think the artist is from Nigeria.”
Similarly, the exhibition’s curator, Dr Otonye B. Ayodele noted that, “the depth, width and length of Afolayan’s works are as legendary as the most ancient stone art works that still holds the world in awe today. I believe the future world will continue to be awed by his contribution to human existence.”
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