Many cultural histories converge in my work. During the course of my life, I have absorbed a lot of information, and when I make work, I intuitively respond to it and my life experiences. In doing so, I aim to bring together past, present and future as well as multiple geographies and cultures. – Richard Ayodeji Ikhide
Nigerian artist Richard Ayodeji Ikhide’s work merges his own cultural traditions and histories with those of other cultures and time periods to build new cosmologies. Esau’s Contemplation features a central figure, eyes closed and surrounded by artifacts and tools. Perhaps the tableau connects to biblical stories of Esau who traded his birthright (as Isaac’s first son) to his younger brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. Ikhide’s own position as the first son of his father (who was the first son of Ikhide’s grandfather) makes the reference to birth order all the more powerful. Ikhide has had solo exhibitions at Galerie Bernhard, Zurich; Steve Turner Gallery, Los Angeles; the Zabludowicz Collection, London; and V.O. Curations, London.
