Abe Ogunlende Interview: I was drawn to pastel tones, they have an effect on our well-being

There is an abiding sense of wonder in Abe Ogunlende’s work. Coming across his paintings stamped my belief that the artist is destined for greatness. On a sunny afternoon in February, I sat down with the budding artist following the release of his successful exhibition, It’s Always Beautiful At Home.  Over the course of our Zoom call, the artist and I embarked on a journey of this recent triumph and passion to connect with others through his creativity.  

“My works are simple so people might think there’s not much to them,” the young artist tells me during our chat, “I  always want it to be where someone finds meaning in them. Even going beyond my own interpretation, I want the viewer to really see what they want onward”. 

Marked by themes of simplicity,  Ogunlende’s work immerses his audience in an artistic experience like no other. Ogunlende is a Nigerian contemporary artist who navigates the artistic landscape with a unique style and imagery. Composed of polka dots, dark-skin portraiture and pastel colours, his art creates a harmonious visual language, propelling a dialogue of deeper exploration into his world. 

In a recent collaboration with Nigerian fashion brand, Dye Lab, Ogunlende unveiled an exhibition titled, “It’s Always Beautiful At Home,” which seamlessly blends simplicity and depth, inviting viewers to reflect on the beauty in everyday moments. With this, he has not only crafted visual narratives but rather a universal experience resonated with all those who come across his art.

During our conversation , the artist spoke on his unique art form, his recent collaboration with Dye Lab, and gave a sneak peek into his upcoming exhibition in Paris, 28 Rue Saint-Gilles, 75003, on April 16-22 titled “Early to the Party”. 

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?

I never saw myself as an artist. I felt my style of drawing was not unique. I was always involved in the creative scene as I would often sketch and keep it to myself. I sort of got to this point where it felt like a calling to go to an art store and pick out colors. I was so clueless at the store and asking a bunch of questions. Since that day, it has never stopped. I just kept creating and had my first solo exhibition.

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I don’t think I was ready for it but I just took that step and it turned out to be amazing. It gave me that conviction that I am on the right path and doing that right thing. I felt like if I was going to make art then I should bring something different to the table. I hate when things are complicated so I often simplify things. My work has always been simple compositions and to capture the essence of something in a simplified way.

Art has allowed me to journal through my paintings. From those journals, I often am trying to use it in a way that I can connect the stories of the experience that we all go through. I want people to experience those stories or see themselves in these works. 

Can you explain why you choose to incorporate polka dots, dark-skin portraiture, and pastel colors into your paintings?

My very first paintings were never sold after that visit to the store. They had polka dots in them which I can’t explain the reasoning behind. It was instinctive and it has not stopped since then. It became this feel good thing which has developed into a visual language.

A dot is the most simple thing which anyone can do but it also depends how it’s represented. I incorporate it with the colors. I never really noticed that my work was something to make noise about in terms of colors. People sort of pointed it out to me and I became a lot more conscious about it.

I was drawn to pastel tones, they have an effect on our well-being. I try to put the best out there in terms of how I make people feel with the colors. When making my works, I am going through life. Making those  colorful works makes me deal with those bad days.

Congratulations on your exhibition in collaboration with Dye Lab, I could not help but be drawn to the name, “It’s Always Beautiful At Home”. Do you mind telling me the inspiration behind that name and its themes?

It sort of defined the collaboration of the clothing, patterns and overall feelings with the collaboration. The saying, “It’s Always Beautiful At Home” does not mean it’s 100%  beautiful at home but that juxtaposition is the point. You have a terrible day but your home is what you curate.

It’s about the idea of being able to capture your own space. It could be what you put at home, the company you choose and so much more. With Dye Lab, we wanted pastel tones to be present in the work and centered around family in a way. The home sort of encapsulates that. With the space, everything was intentional.

They gave me freedom to be able to craft it and bring in elements of the works. Everything in the painting came to life and reinforced the idea that everything is done consciously. 

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Can you share any personal experiences or sources of inspiration that have shaped your artistic practice?

I am a Nigerian artist but do not want to put myself in this box where I have to just create African art. I never want to limit myself to just one idea. I want to be related to, globally without it  being specifically branded to one group. It’s not to say anything bad in relation to that but when I started painting, I always approached it from that angle. It would be disingenuous of me to change that. A lot of things I draw on are from general themes.

This reminds me of my last solo exhibition which was titled, “In Pursuit of Everything Beautiful”. It was inspired by a loss in my family to someone close to me. It was based on truth and translated  into my works. I wanted it to be relatable to everyone. It was titled that because I was in pursuit of everything except the meaningful things. It showed me that I could use my real-life experiences and relate it to everyone, that form of commonality is what I live for. 

Do you mind sharing any insights into your creative process when composing your paintings to the final works?

It can be spontaneous where I just capture people. I remember just driving by and meeting a guy beside his car where I asked if I could capture him. I had a composition that I made where the picture spoke with the composition and set something. It is about being intentional in what each piece is saying. I am always sort of grabbing from everywhere but it has to work when I put things together.

I am always trying to simplify or find the essence of that character or even how the composition speaks to that character. It’s like an interplay or dialogue. The color helps to pass that message along. 

How do you balance maintaining your unique artistic voice while also staying open to new influences and ideas?

That’s a good one! In this collaboration, it wasn’t too hard. The visual language that I work with and that of Dye Lab is not too far off and led to that cohesion. For example, I have a studio here in Ikoyi where I had Rukky from Dye Lab come to the studio. 

Her presence made it easier to do what we could do. It was a harmony. In the patterns I made, there were a lot of things already from the paintings. I was still open-minded to how it would relate to the fabrics but also taking the risks. We just approached it confidently. 

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Do you have any specific moments or experiences that have had a significant impact on your artistic journey?

I would say this experience with Dye Lab has been amazing. It’s my first clothing collaboration. It was really special to see something I had designed be sold out. That’s really awesome. It goes beyond the painting to an art piece someone could wear.

Apart from that, when people genuinely seek my work and how it affects them through feelings, messages or relating to it, I feel like my job is done. I don’t do it for me. 

What do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artwork?

I think they often see themselves in whatever work they are drawn to and also how it makes them feel. It’s a constant reminder of what someone wants in their home and relating to it. I try to be aware of how it impacts them.

What themes or techniques are you interested in exploring in your future work?

I would say I am hoping to go bigger in monumental skills.That’s something I am working on. I am working on a sculpture series and further creating more additions to it while also making a separate one. With sculptures, it’s a different medium but I find out what I am able to express with it is not something I am able to do with paintings.

I am playing with compositions on a real skill. I am also working on a floral sculpture. I am hoping to bring elements from the painting into real life. It helps me see things differently and get a new perspective.

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What legacy would you want to leave behind as an artist?

My works are simple so people might think there’s not much to them. I always want it to be where someone finds meaning in them. Even beyond my own interpretation, it lends to the viewer to really see what they want onward. I wanted to be that person able to do it in a simple, unique and genuine way. I would rather you gain your understanding of it.