Kakandar, Elekula Showcase African Identity Through Art and Design at Abuja Exhibition
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA –Â An Abuja art exhibition is bringing African identity, cultural memory and contemporary design into focus, as artists Timi Kakandar and Gbemi Elekula use sculpture, furniture and everyday objects to explore how people express who they are and the spaces they inhabit.
The exhibition, titled INHABITED FORMS: OBJECTS. FIGURES. ROOMS., examines the relationship between people, objects and the environments they occupy, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with African identity through different forms of artistic expression.
Kakandar’s works explore the human figure, African cultural identity and symbolism, with particular attention to hair and adornment as expressions of identity and cultural meaning.
Through imaginative forms, the artist transforms hair into architectural structures, gardens and machine-like compositions, challenging conventional interpretations of the human figure and everyday cultural symbols.
His sculptural works also incorporate materials such as fibreglass, metal and plastic, combining different textures and forms to create distinctive visual expressions.
Elekula, whose artistic practice dates back to 2012, approaches creativity through furniture, interior spaces and everyday objects. Her works examine how these familiar elements can carry memories, communicate identity and evoke emotions.
By exploring texture, form and patterns, she brings together functionality and artistic expression, demonstrating how furniture and interior design can extend beyond practical use to become meaningful forms of storytelling.
The exhibition also highlights the value of collaboration in the creative industry, bringing together different artistic approaches to examine shared questions about identity, culture and human experience.
Commenting on the exhibition, Toapheek Babayeju commended the collaboration between the artists, describing it as a valuable contribution to the development and visibility of Abuja’s art scene.
Babayeju also emphasised the importance of promoting African originality and creative expression, noting that the global recognition achieved by Afrobeats and Nollywood demonstrates the potential of African creative industries to influence international culture.
He stressed the need for more platforms that showcase the depth, diversity and originality of African creativity.
Through its exploration of objects, figures and living spaces, INHABITED FORMS: OBJECTS. FIGURES. ROOMS. presents art and design as powerful tools for interpreting identity, preserving cultural memory and communicating the African experience.
