‘In Yoruba land we believe whenever an attack is raged against you by an opposition, your pets would be the first partaker of the attack’.
Olatoye’s extraordinarily coloured and hyper-stylised portrait of a seemingly innocuous domestic scene, a beautifully tailored subject, and her beloved dog reveals an immense capacity for conveying intense emotions.
Here, a scene at home is conveyed in exquisite detailing – Olatoye’s eye for design is evident with his love for linear imagery, his signature painting within a painting, and pared-down Scandinavian-influenced décor, further challenging outdated perceptions of the African experience.
Likewise, his referencing to African fables as the starting point for much of his work is powerful and intentional, challenging viewers to lean into what it is to be an African in the 21st century.
'IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH' by David Olatoye presented by Christopher Moller from Christopher Moller Gallery on Vimeo.
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