Visual Artist, Ife Olowu presents Metamorphosis, a radical fusion of art and technology in the latest of his Augmented Reality creations.
I would rather call Olowu’s Metamorphosis a dream come true, or maybe make-believe turned into reality. Remember those movies or books where paintings come alive? I am happy to have seen it happen in my lifetime.
Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he also pursued his love for the arts at the University of Lagos. When the pandemic hit and the world was thrown into chaos, Ifeoluwa saw the opportunity the increased dependence on technology presented. Using Augmented Reality (AR) and various advancements in technology, he has carved a niche for himself in the art industry.
Image Credit: Ife Olowu
Ife Olowu released his first collection, titled, Coloured Reality, comprising incredible pieces like Makoko, Busy Lagos, and Identity. The collection made a lot of buzz and saw him being featured by both local and international news agencies like Channels TV, Punch Newspapers, CNN, BBC and more.
Check Out: Nigerian visual artist blends technology and art | CNN
Image: Identity by Ife Olowu (Coloured Reality)
Image Credit: Priscillia Uzomah
Image: Olmara by Ife Olowu (Coloured Reality)
Image Credit: Priscillia Uzomah
Image:Rawani by Ife Olowu Coloured Reality
Image Credit: Priscillia Uzomah
Although Augmented Reality has been around since the 1960s, in Africa, many are unaware that AR is the technology behind their Instagram and Snapchat filters. And yes, some people have likened it to witchcraft. However, Ife Olowu’s work helps to shed light on AR and its many possible uses in the creative space for both local and international markets.
About Metamorphosis: A Journey Into the Future
I was privileged to have met Ife Olowu late last year in November 2023, at Imisi3D, a virtual reality lab in Lagos, Nigeria. Although we were meeting for the first time, I had seen Ife’s work with AR on social media and was enchanted by it.
I got invited to attend his solo exhibition—Metamorphosis: A Journey Into the Future, and I knew I just had to be there. That was how I got a chance to experience his work and it helped me acknowledge the exciting possibilities of mixed media.
Image Credit: Priscillia Uzomah
Arguably, it can be quite pressuring for artists to surpass the incredible works that they have created. Metamorphosis: A Journey Into the Future by Ife Olowu, demonstrates the artist’s mastery of storytelling through art, whereby the canvas becomes a portal into another dimension.
The exhibition was held at the Cera Cerni ArtHub from December 3rd to 15th 2023.
Metamorphosis is a more nuanced take on the complexity of human relationships and emotions. The mysterious blue heads on the canvas draw you in as you wonder what secrets they hold. Through the assistance of Augmented Reality, their truths will be revealed to you and you will find it hard to pull away.
True to his dream of championing art of the future, his new work once again revealed the boundless possibilities of how technology can interact with art to create remarkable experiences. I enjoyed the mystery that was presented on each canva, waiting to be revealed. I was excited to see what his hidden messages was. And was impressed that it proved to be worth the wait.
By daring to do the extraordinary, he has taken his audience through a journey to explore the depths of human emotions and the hidden messages that we convey. What I also liked about Metamorphosis was the intentionality of the little details added to each piece. I especially liked the sound effects.
When asked if his art advocates for any cause he replied, “I paint what I like, I paint my feelings and experiences,” and he’s not in a hurry to change his style as he hopes to continue to express himself on the canvas. People came out in numbers to experience his art, including his family who are his staunchest supporters.
Image Credit: Priscillia Uzomah
“I have been to the Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana to promote my work. People that I had never met before loved my work and gave me fascinating feedback. I believe if I go to Europe or anywhere else in the world, people will also love it. My work is paving the way for me. I get recognized as the Nigerian artist staying in Lagos who brings painting to life.”
Ife accepts that not everyone will like his work but he does not mind whatever negative feedback he gets, because it will only help him to work harder on his craft.
Click here to learn more about Ife Olowu
