Olufisayo Bakare

Proof of life. I’m okay. Just not really liking the idea of being sucked into a digital oblivion. I’ve never really cared for not being in control 💋

The work of a curator is ever-changing and morphing. I understand the potential a well curated exhibition carries. At the planning stage of this exhibition titled ‘Water Under the Bridge’ (at Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (@shyllonmuseum )), I knew Nigeria would go to the ballot boxes today, I included a painting by Tony Nsofor titled ‘Grim Polity (Ballot boxes and Beasts of Power).’ As those in the Diaspora and citizens entangled in the Nigerian Exodus cannot vote, each vote we cast weighs much more than it did 4 years ago. Whatever the outcome, I pray that Nigeria tilts toward a brighter future. 🇳🇬🦅✊🏽 The ‘Water Under the Bridge’ exhibition runs till May 31st 2023. Please go and see it. If you’re in the diaspora and can’t vote, you can connect on Channels TV (420) on these following days: TODAY- 6:30pm Sunday- 11:30pm Tuesday- 3:30pm

It is one thing to start, and a completely different thing to finish. I am grateful for all the lessons along the way, the support from my parents, siblings, and friends; and the extended perseverance attained in actualising such large scale exhibitions. To the indefatigable team at YSMA, I say a huge thank you for their endless support. None of this would have been possible without an audience to instil cultural values, champion revolutionary dialogues, and amplify educational instincts in. I will forever be grateful to the hands and minds that have helped shape my journey as a curator. Here’s to many more projects together 🥂

As the well known idiom refers, ‘Water Under the Bridge’ speaks to accounts that have happened in the past, but can be used as a point of reference in the future. In light of Nigeria’s present reality, the water is layered with deep meaning. With this at the back of our minds, the upcoming exhibition titled ‘Water Under the Bridge’ sets the tone for lives that have been forced into a modern-day Exodus, with throngs of Nigerians finding still pastures as an annex for their Nigerian Dreams. The flow of this water unearths the realities of mass brain-drain eating at our cultural, institutional, and political framework as a nation. The water also reveals issues of migration, memory, identity clashes, a sense of displacement and in some cases, regret. Join us at Yemis Shyllon Museum of Art (@shyllonmuseum ) from 11am - 5pm today. The exhibitions closes on Wednesday 31st May. The museum is closed on Mondays. Curated by Olufisayo Bakare 👋🏽 📍Pan-Atlantic University Campus (Km 52, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ibeju-Lekki).

This post panned differently in my head. I wanted to go over and beyond what I initially planned to do (which was a little out of my way in the first place). I’m learning to cut back on the things that inconvenience me so that others can be comfortable. My dear, ko le work. As I begin my decent, only to taxi and take off into my 35th journey around the sun, I want to share some wisdom that has helped me. I hope you find it useful on your life’s journey too. (Check the comments section).

I am the sum total of ancestors’ prayers 👼🏽 so humbled for moments like this. Special thanks to Moni [@solamoni ] of Affinity Gallery [@galleryaffinity ] for the start of an awe-striking conversion series. This is a foretaste of what is to come. Follow @galleryaffinity for more *phew*

📌 Page 10, Business Day Weekender

(4:28am WAT) I couldn’t sleep. So I decided to bless your timelines. I also love this song because yesterday’s price is clearly not today’s price. Be careful whose journey you’re using as a gauge. Just like I don’t dream of carrying your problems, don’t look at what my life is becoming and pray for it. My story is custom-fitted for me. I look back to on images of my younger self. That’s whose expectations I’m trying to live up to. Log off if you feel comparison set in. It steals your joy 👼🏽

If not, why not? I can’t wait to share what will come of this. Such conversations set my soul on fire 🔥🔥🔥 thank you @yaleipch and @yale_oia for bringing such brilliance together.

Having successfully closed ‘The Invincible Hands’ exhibition last Saturday, I was given the opportunity to moderate a super exciting panel on ‘Women in Art’ at AfricaNXT’s (@africanxt ) NXT.Art pavilion this week. Without a shadow of doubt, the work I do as a curator is in line (one of the lines lol) with why God created me. #EternallyGrateful

I would just like to say that the last slide wraps everything up beautifully for me. I am glad I was part of the protests a year ago. When my children read about this defining moment in our history, as led globally by THIS GENERATION, I’ll be able to show them pictures and videos to help them in their own fight. [Hopefully, it won’t be the same battle]. A few days leading to the tragedy of October 20, 2020 [#EndSARS 🕊✊🏽🇳🇬] scales fell from my eyes when an Elder in out community, Mr. Atedo Peterside was schooling us on live television about the protests being hijacked. After going to the island and mainland protest grounds 3x, I could see how he was right. I immediately began plotting on how to use EDUCATION as a tool for imparting this generation and the next, using CULTURE and HISTORY as my focal points. In my state of anger and confusion, I wanted to set up an NGO and call on key stakeholders to assist. When the opportunity to curate ‘The Invincible Hands’ exhibition [something that is in alignment with my preconceived plans], I took it and did not look back. For me, the museum/exhibition space is now my protest grounds. A generation that does not know their history is doomed to repeat it. This is not a battle. It is a war and we will win! #AlutaContinua

So, this happened! That’s the caption. That’s the caption 😓 @googleartsculture