Taiye Idahor’s ‘I See (Wo)men as Trees’ opens at O’DA Art Gallery Lagos
It’s Idahor’s poetic visual meditation on ancestry, identity, and the feminine experience
By Editor
O’DA Art Gallery Lagos will present female visual artist Taiye Idahor’s ‘I See (Wo)men As Trees’, her first solo exhibition in Nigeria in a decade! ‘I See (Wo)men As Trees’ is Idahor’s poetic visual meditation on ancestry, identity, and the feminine experience. The exhibition title, inspired by a biblical verse, echoes the words of a man whose healed vision, transformed: “I see men like trees, walking.” This verse affirms Taiye’s exploration of how women stand as enduring figures of strength and continuity, deeply rooted in their pasts while constantly growing towards the future. The exhibition will hold on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 1:00pm – 7:00pm.
The exhibition consists of four distinct series: ‘Wade in the Water’, ‘I See (Wo)men As Trees’, ‘Emancipated but Not Free’, and ‘Hairhythm’. Each series draws on Taiye’s personal reflections and broader cultural narratives, forming a cohesive yet complex narrative centred around the metaphors of trees, water, and hair. These natural elements symbolise resilience, growth, and the ongoing tension between freedom and confinement. The harmonious blending of the women’s soft brown skin with the reddish ground and wooden beams, their earthy tones evoke stability and inner strength, while the translucent figures express the ongoing journey of emancipation.
This exhibition reminds us that women’s stories, much like trees, are ancient, enduring, and ever-evolving, testaments to the power of growth and the strength of shared history.
For inquiries, email us at Info@odaartgallery.com.
