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Toyin Loye experiments with different kind of materials in his work. Recyled
materials plays a prominent role in his recent works. "We do not easily throw
things away in Africa, everything is given a second chance"....this idea has
been the bases of these body of works which could be regarded as enviromental
friendly Toyin Loye is a member of a royal house from Ijebu Jesa, Nigeria. He
studied fine art at the University of Ife, Nigeria. He has exhibited in Many
countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia. See also:
http://www.chiefsandspirits.nl/artist_toyin_loye.php
Toyin Loye was born in 1959 into a traditional royal house in Ijebu Jesa,
Nigeria.
He studied Fine Art at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife. He now lives and
works in the Hague, the Netherlands. More recently, he has been developing new
ways of working with different materials and media. His work has been exhibited
in solo and group exhibitions throughout galleries in Nigeria, Senegal,
Argentina, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, Australia, United
States, Germany, Spain, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands. Toyin Loye was
commissioned by FIFA along with Andreas Gursky, Luo Brothers, Markus Lupetz and
others to create the official Art Poster for the Germany 2006 World Cup.
Moving Space II
We are all delivered into a fleeting lifetime upon a vast and fast moving
highway. We traipse across a multi-layered cultural canvas packed with an
infinite spectrum of colour and texture. Occasionally we surface from the sea of
swirling people and find our breaths before submerging back into the swell of
our migratory waters.
Our interconnected journeys often share the same unknown destination. But what
is it that we bring for such a ride of a lifetime? What is it that we gather to
carry with us? What tools for survival do we need?
Toyin Loye encounters these thoughts and begins to unwrap and unfold the very
inner bundles and boxes that we herd around with us. He reveals that regardless
of who you are to become on this brilliant globe, we all share the same criss-crossing,
overlapping series of unforetold footsteps that walk us towards the warmth of a
hopeful horizon.
Toyin considers this conceptual work the second step extending his Moving Space
journey. Moving Space predefined the possibilities of our movements within
penetrable and intangible space. In addition, the idea of space itself being
immovable is explored.
On his own travels and experiences he has learnt that life is significantly more
open and intimate than it has ever been before. This globalised world that we
have discovered for ourselves has now enabled us to learn from, and respect each
other more. He asks us that we consider the profound beauty in this, and also in
one another.
Our new developments have caught us unawares, and we now have to learn to cope
with this reality. He hopes that the next generation will be able to use the
tools more effectively than we have done in this lifetime.
Within this new context of possibilities we are now entitled to search. Toyin
shares this birthright with us, to explore and ride the meridian waves. He
reveals that we are merely travellers, nomadically seeking our fields of green,
and that now, life itself is that which we keep on searching, for the benefit of
all humanity.
Visually, Toyin reveals the different cultural experiences from within his
beautifully patchworked background. The very nature of his diaspora identity is
embodied in his artwork. The images in this book are landscapes where people
come and go, and where they merge their journeys in life together. The raw
colours and patterns are roped to resonate global language, whilst still
reflecting his unique identity. Toyin illustrates that the freedom to move from
one point to another is ultimately a process beneficial to humankind, and that
we should now realise the true nature of what we are unfolding into on this
revolutionary and delicate chequered globe.
Michael Wainwright, Colombo, 2006
The paintings are on display in the corridors and the library of the African
Studies Centre in the Pieter de la Court building, Wassenaarseweg 52,
Leiden. They are for sale. The
exhibition is open weekdays from 9:00–17:00. Feel free
to come and take a look.
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