09 Nov Rhythm and Flow: ‘The Conference’ by Kolade Oshinowo
By 1975, the most popular artworks from Oshinowo, were the landscapes detailing Lagos,Abeokuta and many other states.But there was the abstract side of Oshinowo, like this mixed media artwork titled, TheConference. In ‘The Conference’, lines replaced colour, creating movement and tension across thesurface of the artwork. It’s a dynamic, adventurous artwork that presents another aspect of
01 Nov Ben Osaghae’s ‘I Beta Pass My Neighbor’
The artwork presents two aspects of Osaghae. There is his movement towards a minimalist style that required the viewer to participate mentally in order to understand and enjoy the artwork. Then there is his understanding of symbolism – an ability to appreciate the symbols that define our times. In this artwork, it is the small,
01 Nov Four Drawings by Ben Enwonwu.
We are presenting 4 drawings by Ben Enwonwu at the gallery.The drawings span a period between 1946 and 1970, and were probably preliminary sketches for sculptures and paintings – a visual diary. They are an interesting insight into Enwonwu’s work methods, as well as, historically important documents about one of Africa’s most significant artists.
20 Oct A profile and a terrain
Like many Ablade Glover artworks, there are multiple layers to this piece. There is the elegant profile – the strong, resilient, graceful African queen. Then there is the amazing use of movement, colour and layering to create a visually compelling multi-layered canvas. It feels like a vast terrain – hills, crevices, valleys. There’s so much
13 Oct Obi Ekwenchi’s art
Obi Ekwenchi’s artworks have always had a magical quality, probably because of his nuanced colours.He has always been able to present the subjects in his artworks with warmth, compassion, and a certain dignity. Ekwenchi was born in 1959. He studied Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu and got
04 Oct Visual Diaries – ‘GRA’ And ‘Mushin At Night”
Abiodun Olaku had a brief stay at the Mushin area of Lagos in his early days as an artist. He wandered the streets in the evenings, intrigued by the mix of chaos and energy. ‘GRA – Government Rejected Area’ and ‘Mushin at night’ present Mushin from the artist’s eyes. “GRA”, a night-time landscape explores the
29 Sep Have You heard?
A bittersweet artwork, The colours are warm and joyful, the figures seem connected and vibrant, the adire patterns on their clothing are bold and appealing. It’s a warm artwork with a darkish theme. Created at the end of the civil war, the artwork explores the mixed emotions of these women about the end of the
29 Sep Divine Intervention
It’s always interesting to reflect on the early years of a significant artist. This Abiodun Olaku painting from 1987, presents a fluid, almost sketch-like exploration of prayer and divine intervention.
28 Jun The Ben Osaghae Memorial Drawing Exhibition
We’re exhibiting drawings from The Ben Osaghae Memorial Drawing workshop organised by The Guild of Fine Artists and Hourglass Gallery. The drawings are by Abiodun Olaku , Abraham Uyovbisere, Aimufia Osagie, Alex Nwokolo , Ben Ibebe, Bimbo Adenugba, Bunmi Babatunde, Diseye Tantua, Duke Asidere, Edosa Ogiugo, Fidelis Odogwu, Gbenga Offo, George Edozie, Gerry Nnubia, Joshua Nmesirionye, Juliet Ezenwa, Norbert Okpu, Olu Ajayi, Sam Ebohon, Tayo Quaye, Tola Wewe. Exhibition opens
28 Jun The Ben Osaghae Memorial Drawing Workshop – October, 25, 2021
We hoped it wouldn’t rain, but it turned out be one of those very rainy mornings. Maybe we should postpone till the next day, I thought. I called Duke Asidere. He was already on third Mainland Bridge. Postpone? He wasn’t having any of that. ‘We are holding the workshop even if the world is coming
30 Mar A Lorry Station and the State of Africa
Ato Delaquis has always been fascinated by the confluence of Western ideas and indigenous African ideas. The confluence and conflict play out in many aspects of African societies – religion, design, technology, fashion … He has often explored some of these fusions and contradictions in his art. The artwork ‘Morris, Austin and Bedford’ is presented
21 Mar Asidere’s The Day After
Duke Asidere has always been autobiographical in his paintings and the titling of his artworks. These titles may sometimes seem misleading and at odds with the artwork itself. In the truth. sometimes there is no direct connection. He paints spontaneously, with very little planning. He simply bares his soul on canvas. This purgation involves rote
18 Feb Bruce Onobrakpeya and Ore ri Canaan
Bruce Onobrakpeya has recently started to explore some of his earlier Christian-themed artworks. The first of this series is ‘Ore ri Canaan’. He had earlier explored this artwork as a deep etching on paper in 1982. Its present incarnation is as an utterly magnificent metal foil artwork. ‘Ore Ri Canaan’, explores the turning of water
18 Feb Glover’s Sketches
It’s hard to imagine how Ablade Glover’s energetic, almost aggressive attacks on his canvas might translate to paper. Many of the elements of his art – the layering of colour, the chaos of paint, the fluid inter-connection between colours – seem to suggest that his art is suited for oil, rather than pencil, or charcoal
21 Dec Flourish
The strongest trees grow and flourish through the years.We wish you the strength, grace and endurance to flourish in the new year.
11 Dec We Frame
We’ve opened a framing section.Now you can get some really amazing frames for your artworks. Acid-free tapes, high-end mount boards, quality wood frames, water-resistant backboards…We’re ensuring your artworks get museum quality treatment.
18 Sep 2 Days of drawing and having a great time
On Monday and Tuesday, the 13th and 14th of September, members of the Guild of Fine Artists (GFA) came by the gallery for a 2-day freestyle drawing workshop to remember the wonderful Ben Osaghae – who was a member of the guild, a member of the Hourglass family in his lifetime and one of the best of
11 Aug Horse riders, elegant figures, lorry stations and a preacher
Ben Enwonwu was a sculptor. Period. Well, also a painter. But his genius was as a sculptor. In his painting he certainly applied his skill, intelligence, and philosophy to create era defining artworks. But in his sculptures, he brought a bit more. He brought all these things and the spirit, wisdom and vitality of his
14 Jun JIMOH AKOLO AND HIS LONESOME ROAD TO RECOGNITION
For Jimoh Bola Akolo, the choice was simple. It was between the pursuit of ideology and the ideals of the actual art practice. So, he chose the latter. Thus, he was said to have ended his membership of the Zaria Art Society – “for personal reasons” – after only three months. For the record, the
04 May Abiodun Olaku’s Female Figure – the past and the present.
Abiodun Olaku is, in some sense, an embodiment of Yussuf Grillo and Kolade Oshinowo. Not stylistically. He evolved his own unique art sensibility decades ago and has continued in that direction. His path has proved so alluring that it has attracted imitators, students, followers… His brand of realism has opened our eyes to the beauty