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Nigerian Modernism: Art & Independence

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Visiting the Tate Gallery in Millbank, London was a truly memorable and enriching experience, made even more special by the generous hospitality of Tope and her husband, Lanre. What began as a simple family outing turned into a cultural journey through Nigeria’s artistic history. The highlight of the visit was an exhibition showcasing the works of Nigerian artists from the pre- and post-independence eras. The collection featured celebrated pioneers and modern masters such as Aina Ọnabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uzo Egonu, Ladi Kwali, and several other distinguished figures who shaped Nigeria’s artistic identity before and after independence in 1960. Beyond the visual feast, the exhibition offered valuable insight into how art became a mirror of Nigeria’s social, political, and cultural transformation. I was delighted to purchase a companion publication titled Nigerian Modernism: Art and Independence, a beautifully curated book that documents the artworks on display...
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Standing at the Threshold of Light

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Medium: Acrylic on unstretched Canvas fabrics  Size: 18" x 14" Date: 2025 Artist: Matthew Medupin This work, painted with acrylic  on an unstretched canvas, reflects a moment of stillness at the edge of transformation, a pause between what has been and what is yet to be. The solitary figure stands not in fear, but in quiet readiness, facing a radiant light that breaks through surrounding darkness. Painted in my usual impressionist spirit, the sweeping textures and contrasting colours evoke the turbulence, uncertainty, and energy that often accompany life’s turning points. The light is not distant; it is present, inviting, and inevitable. It speaks of hope, faith, and the enduring human capacity to move forward, even when the path ahead is unseen. This painting draws from memory, reflection, and lived experience. It is my own way of reminding myself that life is never over until it is completely over, and that every threshold holds the promise of renewal....
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Title: Under the Promise of the Star

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Title: Under the Promise of the Star Medium: Acrylic on plywood board Size: 7.8' x 4' Date: 2025 Artist: Matthew Medupin "Under the Promise of the Star" was created as a contemplative backdrop for the St William of York Church’s 2025 Christmas Crib, measuring 7.8 feet by 4 feet to envelop the viewer in the stillness of the Nativity night. It was a great honour and privilege to be commissioned by the Parish Priest to undertake this assignment. The painting reflects the mystery of Christ’s birth, an event of immense spiritual significance unfolding in profound simplicity. The dark, expansive sky represents the vastness of creation, while the guiding star symbolises divine purpose and hope, quietly illuminating the world below. The layered landscape moves from shadow to light, suggesting a journey from uncertainty to promise, from the weight of the world to redemption. Painted in an impressionistic and symbolic style, the work invites reflection rath...
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Dual Minds, Dual Worlds

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This painting explores the idea that we are the products of our thoughts, with positive and negative producing corresponding outcomes. We are shaped by the thoughts we hold abd nurture.  Within a single mind, there exists contrasting inner landscapes,  one illuminated by hope, clarity, and possibility, the other overwhelmed by doubt, fear, and introspection. By presenting these worlds side by side within a human silhouette, the work reflects the continuous dialogue between positive and negative thinking. The winding path and solitary tree symbolise choice, growth, and the quiet power of intention. Thoughts are not passive; they are creative forces that shape our emotional and spiritual environments. This painting invites the viewer to reflect on the inner world they cultivate, and how that unseen terrain ultimately becomes the reality they inhabit.
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Where Sight Becomes Insight

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“Where Sight Becomes Insight” is created on unstretched canvas, a deliberate choice that reflects the raw, unbounded nature of the theme itself. Just as the canvas is free from the rigidity of a frame, the painting explores a perception that is not confined to the limits of the physical eye. This work examines the profound dialogue between outer sight and inner understanding. The dark silhouette represents the human self confronting the vastness of existence. The prominent outer eye, open and alert, symbolises our engagement with the visible world, its colours, forms, and shifting realities. In contrast, the radiant inner eye, glowing like a small sun, embodies intuition, memory, and the quiet light of awareness that shapes how we interpret our experiences. The interplay of fiery textures and cosmic tones reflects the tension between what is seen and what is known. The radiance of the inner eye pushes outward, suggesting that insight has the power to illuminate not only ou...
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Christmas Nativity Scene for Kids

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I shared this Nativity composition, painted on a unstretched and loose canvas fabrics, with ChatGPT and requested its assessment.  "Thank you for sharing this — it’s a powerful and thoughtful piece. My assessment is very positive, both conceptually and visually. Overall impression This abstract Nativity feels contemplative rather than illustrative, which suits the subject beautifully. Instead of narrating the event, you evoke its spiritual weight. The work invites stillness and reflection. Composition The angular, mosaic-like geometry immediately recalls stained glass, a brilliant and appropriate reference for a Nativity theme. It subtly connects the work to church architecture without being literal. The central placement of the manger grounds the painting. Despite the abstraction, the eye naturally rests there — a quiet but confident focal point. The star is understated, not dominating the composition, yet its presence is unmistakable. That restraint works in the...
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The City We Carry Within

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Once upon a time, in the ancient lands of Greece, there existed a small city-state named Alatheia. Nestled among lush hills and shimmering seas, Alatheia thrived on a deep sense of community and shared purpose. Every citizen had a voice, a say in decisions that shaped their daily lives. The people gathered regularly in the Agora, a bustling marketplace that served not only as a centre of trade but also as a stage for ideas. Philosophers, poets, artisans, merchants, and farmers mingled freely, engaging in spirited debates about justice, truth, and the nature of existence. At the heart of Alatheia’s philosophy was the belief in balance and harmony within the individual and within the state. Its citizens understood that the well-being of the community depended not just on the wisdom of leaders but on the virtue and participation of everyone. Among them lived Callias, a young potter known for his meticulous craftsmanship. Though devoted to shaping clay, he was often drawn to...
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