POLLY ALAKIJA
Polly Alakija is a British born artist, who is now based in Lagos, Nigeria, where she married her husband and now has her studio.
She uses her canvas to explore her imaginations and plays around with colour to create paintings that are now in demand.
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Apart from being the stereotypical oil on canvas artist, Alakija works with the White space creative agency as well as the Red door gallery to help develop urban spaces in Africa, one of which is the 'Lagos at 50', inspired by the Chibok girls.
This project commissioned by the Lagos government has raised the artists profile and now allowing her to sell her work from £1,400.
Having heard so much buzz about the artist and her technique, AFÉ decided to visit her studio space to get a feel for the artist and her work.
Her studio welcomed its viewers in with a vintage beetle painted all over it, parked just outside the entrance. The artist used what you can call classical graffiti, if that existed. Upon entering, we were greeted by one of her assistants, he gave us a moment to take in the various art pieces on display - from the designed print pillows, to the straw woven baskets and of course her larger than life paintings.
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With so much going on, there is only so little time to properly observe, analyse and process what the eye makes of the artists' thought-process.
As an observer, it was very easy to get lost in her work, with various subjects and activities going on in her paintings. It takes you on a surreal journey that leaves you questioning returning back to reality.
When looking closely at some of her work, you begin to reference famous Italian Renaissance artist, Michelangelo. I immediately thought of his Sistine Chapel, not that I am trying to state that Alakija is of the same level as Michelangelo, but she is well underway.] Her work spoke volumes, yet said nothing, Alakija is Lagos' very own Michelangelo.
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