The Melodious Struggle of Souls and Consciousness by multi-disciplinary and self-taught artist, Raji Bamidele, is finally home. The show, which opened to the public on Saturday, June 23, would run until July 13, 2024. It is showing at the Alliance Francais Gallery in Lagos.

It is part of the Absa L’Atelier, in collaboration with the South African National Association with the Visual Arts (SANAVA), commitment to supporting artistic endeavour and celebrating the diversity of expression within the African art community.

Raji is the 2019 Absa L’Atelier ambassador. The Absa L’Atelier is a prestigious recognition in the art world, named after the iconic South African artist, Gerard Sekoto.

This award serves as a platform for emerging artists to highlight their work on an international stage, affirming Absa’s commitment to supporting and nurturing artistic talent, fostering cultural exchange, and celebrating the diversity of expression within the African art community.

The Absa L’Atelier is about affording the winning artist(s) with the relevant skillset to develop and thrive as an artist in a forever changing world. The Absa L’Atelier is hosted annually by Absa in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA).

Every year, emerging visual artists from across Africa are given opportunity to showcase their talents through the Absa L’Atelier. Additionally, the competition offers them a platform to explore themes and contemporary issues, while setting the stage to bring their possibilities to life. One only must look at the past winning artists who have become ambassadors, to see how winning the Absa L’Atelier has helped to launch their careers and to grow their craft on a global stage.

Artists, aged 21 to 40, who are citizens, permanent residents and living in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, are eligible to enter for the competition.

Bamidele aims to take local art enthusiasts on an immersive journey into the profound depths of human existence – some of which may be familiar to many – with his latest solo show.

He draws inspiration from the Yoruba people and their belief system. The Yoruba people, which are a West African ethnic group who inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, believe that the soul, consciousness, and spirit are intricately interconnected facets of the human experience.

His artwork encapsulates “the concept that the soul embodies the mind, which reflects the heart, and the heart extends the soul and spirit.” This interconnectedness forms the basis for a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.

Absa’s senior specialist, art and museum curator, Dr. Paul Bayliss, highlights the vital role played by the arts to society and support for the industry is pivotal, especially for young Africans.

“The arts sector in Africa is increasingly becoming an important economic sector, not only for the potential it holds for opportunities for young people, but for its ability to shape narrative for the future of the continent. The UNDP recognises the need to support the arts for their potential to lift many people out of poverty and to help transform how the global community sees Africa,” said Bayliss.

“Bamidele’s unique story is testament to this reality. He is talented, self-taught, and multifaceted, which proves that the continent is home for incredibly special and talented young people. And, once these stories are unearthed, more young people on the continent can resonate with the story, be inspired by the success, and work in similar fashion to contribute significantly to this continent.”

Absa remains committed to supporting the arts on the continent, which lives up to the brand promise of Your Story Matters, and ultimately recognises stories told through art, such as Bamidele.