Emma Odumade’s collaged portraits skillfully blend personal narratives with broader cultural reflections, establishing a unique artistic dialogue. Hailing from Lagos, Odumade developed his artistic practice through drawing and collage, progressively focusing on depicting young individuals within his community. His pieces are not merely visual; they represent a deep exploration of identity and a profound sense of connection, often culminating in self-portraits created annually as a personal chronicle. Through his creative process, Odumade transforms his art into a reflective surface, offering a distinctive perspective on his own being.
These striking works stand as chronicles of life and experiences, meticulously documenting the artist’s observations while simultaneously drawing upon historical and cultural elements to convey personal narratives. Odumade masterfully fuses various media, such as charcoal, acrylic, and ink, with repurposed earlier sketches and diverse images. This layering creates what he terms “stamps of moments”, capturing a collection of memories perceived across the expanse of time — past, present, and future. The careful integration of these elements ensures each portrait becomes a multifaceted story.
A distinguishing characteristic of Odumade’s approach is his use of black-and-white images, often treated with tea to achieve an aged effect, forming the foundation of many compositions. This technique allows him to weave in historical events, allusions to African artifacts, and personal origins. The vintage aesthetic of these background elements serves as a consistent reminder of bygone eras, imbuing the artwork with a palpable sense of enduring time and connection to history.
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