Ikpoza’s Geometrism radiates positive energy

Jonathan Ikpoza’s first solo art exhibition is titled Geometrism set to hold at Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Lagos. It focuses on positive energy. The exhibit is the fifth annual showcase by Faces and Phases, which will be opened to the public on August 19, and run until August 28.

The exhibition spans more than two decades of Ikpoza’s career and features more than 40 works, including new mixed media, oil, fabric, acrylic, prints, charcoal, plastic disc and pastel on various surfaces. Ikposa’s presentation will be characterised with a flow of geometric, rhythmic movement of lines and shapes developed along creative use of colour orchestration.

Ikpoza’s adventurous journey with geometrism dates back to the early period of year 2000, when his exploration of various art movements led him into Africa’s expressions on wood and stone. His wide array of anatomical study and distortion is evident in each of his works as he uses lines stretched across space and forms, breaking the monotony of rendering geometric shapes with flat tonality.

Surface quality of art is as good as the context, according to Ikpoza, adding that the concept of ‘geometric art’ is not new, but has always been in existence. He notes that artists have not just put a name to it like he has done.

“My works capture the human quest for eternal freedom which governs the act of humans and the effects on victims and beneficiaries,” he stated. “It states the necessity to hanker for peace in violent-filled societies and security in insecure environments.”

Being the only selected Nigerian artist amongst 55 international artists, who exhibited in Santorini Biennale Greece tagged: Peace Mechanism in 2014, he has continued to create works that focus on positive energy and peaceful cohabitation towards a violent-free society.

According to him, “I derive more satisfaction in creating new arts that evoke a positive reaction than in engaging myself in other activities of human occupation. As a versatile artist with the ability to express my art in various mediums, I have done many works with Geometrism because it gives me variety of ways to convey messages in serial body of works.”

The works of Ikpoza have been shown and collected in various museums and galleries in Nigeria, Senegal, Greece, the U.K. and the U.S. According to Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Ikposa’s series of works are “intriguing as they probe your mind, engage you in its drama and leave the conclusion for you. It also gives you a classic musical sensation to keep listening, over and over again, with appealing satisfaction.”