Exhibition: Toyin Ojih Odutola at Barbican, London (Until 26 July)

By Africa in Words on 19 February , 2020 • ( 0 )

Toyin Ojih Odutola
“A Countervailing Theory”
Open now, and until 26 July 2020
Barbican Centre, London

The first-ever UK exhibition by Nigerian-American artist Toyin Ojih Odutola, this epic cycle of new work will explore an imagined ancient myth, with an immersive soundscape by artist Peter Adjaye.

Toyin Ojih Odutola, recognising the pen as a ‘writing tool first’, plays with the idea that drawing can be a form of storytelling. Working exclusively with drawing materials including pastel and charcoal, she approaches her process of drawing as an investigative practice.

“Introductions: Early Embodiment”. Image courtesy of Ojih Odutola

Ojih Odutola proposes speculative fictions, inviting the viewer to enter her vision of an uncannily familiar yet fantastical world. Working like an author or poet, she often spends months creating extensive imaginary narratives, which play out through a series of works to suggest a structure of episodes or chapters. Drawing on an eclectic range of references, from ancient history to popular culture to contemporary politics, Ojih Odutola encourages the viewer to piece together the fragments of the stories that she presents.

The exhibition has been commissioned by the Barbican, London, using public funding from Arts Council England and with support from Jack Shainman Gallery.

This exhibition is free.
Find out more about opening times here.

Venue:
The Curve,
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London, UK
EC2Y 8DS

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