It is understood that humans can perceive and process up to the third dimension, however, there is estimated to be upwards of twenty-six. In these theories, a single point has no dimension, yet, length, width, height and time allow us to perceive our current world. In Dimensionalities, artists Oluwatomisin Olabode, Mayowa Nwadike and Oyewole Tayo Oyelade apply visual representations of dimensions two through four to open dialogue surrounding cultural and societal commentaries.
Olabode uses abstracted portraits to highlight Black culture and history while emphasizing the stories behind each figure. By limiting the visual differences between each portrait and adding grotesque elements, their abstracted form draws attention to canonically overlooked stories and leaves room for the viewer to imagine the legacies behind each iconic Black leader.
Self-taught artist, Nwadike, uses layering of charcoal, acrylic and coffee to create the illusion of a 3D portrait. Nwadike’s paintings aim to dissect themes of gender roles and identity while dismantling toxic masculinity. The 3D perspectives and plain backgrounds used by Nwadike humanizes the figure and opens a dialogue between the viewer and the sitter as they reflect on each other’s human experience.
Oyelade, on the other hand, guides us beyond the traditional human experience and into the surreal. Oyelade explores the 4D, by interpreting time as a visual concept. Oyelade draws attention to the passage of time and accruement of experiences by painting each figure with woven skin. This technique allows the viewer to imagine past the physical attributes of the figure and explore the interconnectedness of each individuals personal life experiences in relation to society as a whole.
All three artists feature representations of various dimensions of reality to highlight the themes of their work. Through Dimensionalities, we journey through the multiple levels of the universe by means of the visual, while exploring the various layers of the human experience beyond the physical world we perceive.
Statement and curation by Nicole Zambrano
