Shanghai—Pearl Lam Galleries is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition, ATUNWA: Seven Possible Biographies of an Artist, a solo show by Nigerian-born, London-based artist Babajide Olatunji. This exhibition marks Olatunji's first solo exhibition with the gallery and will showcase a series of captivating portraitures that explore our collective human experience through the lens of African diaspora. Inspired by James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, the exhibition title "ATUNWA" references the Yoruba linguistic tradition prevalent in West Africa and expresses the phenomenon of reincarnation derived from the doctrines of Ifa, the deity of wisdom and intellectual development, signifying transcendence across different times and spaces. Olatunji's artistic practice is deeply rooted in engaging with Nigerian history and culture. Rejecting the notion of historical revision and identity politics, the artist deliberately turns away from addressing the injustices resulting from colonisation. Instead, he seeks to repurpose art history, asserting that there is no need to reclaim anything from the colonial past. His aim is to tell Nigeria's own history, acknowledge its rich lineage, and pay tribute to ancestry as something common to humanity. By staging seven chapters of imaginary biographies with painting, Olatunji presents a collective rebirth of characters from the African diaspora, each embodying different social and moral roles. These fictional subjectivities serve as a social commentary collectively, shedding light on psychological states resulting from loss, self-identity, perseverance, kinship, womanhood, domesticity, containment, social mobility, and intellectuality. Each individual chapter presented in the exhibition represents a unique individual closely associated with the artist, serving as a conscious reflection of fate and different paths. Through the depiction of aging in the three paintings dedicated to each character, the exhibition serves as a collective memento mori, reminding viewers of the transient nature of life and the universal destiny we all share. Furthermore, the facial scarification in some characters serves as a source code representing their cultural origin. The intricate patterns etched on the faces celebrate the intimacy and create presence of the depicted, inviting viewers to ponder the degree of idealisation. The gleaming gaze in individual portraits evoke a sense of hope and ambition, suggesting that all is right with the world. However, a subtle tinge of wariness and fear about an uncertain future and mounting familial responsibilities can be seen in the subjects' eyes, while the slightly pinched mouths add a touch of solemnity to the overall expression. Olatunji states, "I contend with this same question: Who are these people that I paint? If I could sit and chat with each of them, what stories would they tell? Perhaps each work is a little part of myself shed onto the world. Perhaps they are possible incarnates in other lifetimes and I am able to create them because they are recognisable to my identity. They are familiar, but I don't always know who they actually are. They all possess their own superegos imbued on them by their families, religious affiliations and the society into which they are born and nurtured." Through the use of hyperrealism, Olatunji creates an immersive experience, drawing viewers into the narratives depicted in his portraits. Influenced by old European masters including Caravaggio, Rembrandt van Rijn, Diego Velázquez, and Théodore Géricault, the artist employs chiaroscuro painting techniques to capture the essence of his subjects. The use of light and mood further enhances the emotional impact of his works, while postulating the viewer's reception and engagement. Olatunji's paintings involve keen observation of his subjects, meticulous line drawings, and thoughtful adjustments to facial features, idealisation, complexion, social strata, background, and expression. Atunwa raises intriguing questions about the existence of his subjects in different social strata, imagining the unique journeys and struggles they would encounter. These fictional characters include Amiya Dorcas Shekwokusumi, a proud Gbagyi woman who discovered her passion for storytelling from her grandmother's captivating tales of Gwari culture. lyábò Olábámké Adébowálé, a singer/songwriter from Iseyin, Oyo state, found solace and passion in the vibrant world of Nigerian highlife music and finally earned recognition for her musical prowess when her second album released in 2005. Ajadi Esther Omodolapo, a potter and dyer, grew up among local weavers and mastered the ancient art of batik making. Daniel Domkat Lar, a wood carver and sculptor from a lineage of artisans, meticulously crafts intricate designs on blocks of mahogany. Òkè Samson Babalola, a performance artist and traditional drummer, merges social satire with mythological narratives. Dantala Dennis Ibrahim, a scholar and painter, explores forgotten histories and portrays vibrant landscapes of the African Savanna. Babájídé Olatunji, the artist himself, inspired by his elder brother, uses his artistic talents to navigate and contribute to the world around him. This exhibition conveys the artist's technical prowess and storytelling ability, but also serves as a catalyst for introspection and empathy. It prompts viewers to consider the multiplicity of human experiences and the interconnectedness of our shared humanity, encouraging a deeper understanding of the diverse paths we all walk in this complex and increasingly segregated world. About Babajide Olatunji With a bachelor's degree in botany from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Babajide Olatunji (b. 1989, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) is a self-taught, full-time studio artist. In a decade of full-time studio practice, Olatunji has shown his pieces in multiple continents globally. He lives and works in London, UK. The artist is largely influenced by his Yoruba cultural heritage, which is represented in the types of projects he selects to research and work on. Works from Olatunji's Tribal Marks and Aroko series have been incredibly well received. The former is a collection of portraits that explores the ancient practice of facial scarification within Nigerian ethnic groups. The faces in the series are illusory yet informed by the artist's interactions and discussions with carriers of the marks, which are signifiers of identity and tribal heritage. Olatunji's Aroko series features drawings of a cryptic messaging system used by the Yoruba based on physical objects. Olatunji works in the genres of hyperrealism and trompe l'œil, which he creates using acrylics, charcoal, casein paint, and pastels. He also draws inspiration from works by Old Masters of European art history, including Caravaggio, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Johannes Vermeer, focusing on their use of shadow and light. Olatunji's paintings have been acquired by the Mott-Warsh Collection in Michigan, the Bank of England Museum, the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History in Lagos, as well as important private collections in Switzerland, London, Lagos, Istanbul, and New York. Alongside various solo and group exhibitions, Olatunji has had works presented in important global art fairs including Art Basel Hong Kong, TEFAF Maastricht, Art Dubai Contemporary, The Armory Show New York, and Art X Lagos. In 2017, Olatunji was selected for inclusion in a curated section at the Royal Academy Summer Show in the UK, and in 2020 he completed a six-week residency at the Bridgepoint Arts Centre in Hastings, UK. About Pearl Lam Galleries Pearl Lam Galleries is a driving force within Asia's contemporary art scene. Founded in 2005, the gallery plays a vital role in stimulating international dialogue and cross-cultural exchange between the East and West. Following a rigorous programme, Pearl Lam Galleries presents museum-quality exhibitions that re-evaluate and challenge perceptions of cultural practice in Asia. With a thoughtfully balanced roster of Chinese and international artists, the gallery is strategic in its curation, positioning itself as an educator. The gallery maintains a flagship space in the historic Pedder Building in Hong Kong, whilst the Shanghai gallery is situated in the heritage architecture in the Bund district. With a team of international staff, Pearl Lam Galleries' reach is global, having presentations at major international art fairs including Art Cologne, Art Basel, Frieze Masters, and West Bund Art and Design. Press release courtesy Pearl Lam Galleries.