Tunji Adeniyi-Jones’ Patterns & Rituals

Images courtesy of the artist and Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, New York

Patterns & Rituals marks Tunji Adeniyi-Jones’ second solo exhibition at Nicelle Beauchene for the young British-Nigerian artist. Adeniyi-Jones’ work feels at once fluid and solid. Liquid-like figures move through a tornado of pink and purple foliage, yet the work is flat, authoritative. In a way Adeniyi-Jones’ work feels like music – pulsing, repeating, transporting us to another realm. The scale and uniformity of the paintings causes reverberations throughout the space. Visions of stain-glass come to mind, in this artist’s place of worship. Inspired by classical West African folklore and the religious practices of Nigerian’s Yoruba tradition, Adeniyi-Jones investigates methods of idolatry and myth. At the heart of Adeniyi-Jones’ practice is the idea of ritualized repetition, also key to the maintenance of prayer and ceremony. Patterns & Rituals is on view at Nicelle Beauchene until January 26th. – CM