Artist Gbolahan Olanipekun, through the 28th of September to the 2nd of October 2024, recently exhibited a collection of artworks in a project titled Heritage Unveiled. These works are a mix of traditional photography and digital art, all grounded by a core mission of showcasing the depths that run through his African background. He uses this body of art to present different facets of African life and living to a broader, international audience.

The first work in this exhibition, titled Fierce Woman, is a mixed media piece combining photography and digital art. It features a young, plump woman with tribal marks on her cheeks, staring outside of the canvas into the viewer’s soul. Her expression is disinterested and apathetic, embodying an African woman’s scorn. In western Nigeria, within Yoruba land, a displeased woman will shake her eyeball rhythmically as a way to mock—this is called moju, translated in English as an eye roll, but it is more fierce and confrontational.

Gbolahan further explores the protective nature of husband-wife communion through a piece titled Undiluted Love. This work emphasizes a certain type of purity and naivety that exists within traditional love environments. However, this perspective could be considered skewed towards rose-colored biases, as love in the olden days often did not allow for much freedom or independence for women in relationships. As frenzied as the modern dating pool might be, there has been substantial growth in male-female dynamics worldwide and, more importantly, better leeway for women to express themselves and achieve self-actualization.

The third artwork within the Heritage Unveiled exhibition is a modern representation of a mainstay Yoruba phenomenon. It is titled Oju Aye, translated as Eye of the World. This refers to the collective behavior of human beings as a response to an individual’s activities. Oju Aye speaks to the envy and sidetalks every purposeful individual experiences. It also refers to perceived spiritual attacks initiated by jealous people as a result of someone’s success.

Another piece of his, titled ‘The Optimist’ is a photo of a fisherman on his canoe paddling into the horizon. There are a myriad of emotions in this particular piece as it confounds loneliness in the face of the unknown and unfathomed. Gbolahan imposes positivity into this piece as a reflection of his personality.

When asked about his process, Gbolahan Olanipekun said, “My driving force is the desire to inspire others and give voice to stories that resonate with people on a personal level.” Each piece celebrates African culture and traditions while exploring universal themes of resilience and empowerment. These works are not just visual; they are narratives, each carrying a profound message about identity, heritage, and the beauty of cultural diversity.

The results of Gbolahan’s hard work and dedication have culminated in the Heritage Unveiled exhibition, which has positioned him as a distinct voice in the UK art community, relaying traditional African terms and concepts for better Western understanding.