In "The Way We Were," Femi Morakinyo invites viewers to journey through a selection of memory, identity, and cultural resonance. This exhibition is a profound exploration of the past, reflecting on how our histories shape our present and inform our future.
In Femi's words, "The Way We Were is a nostalgic reflection on the cultural heritage, memories, and societal changes within Nigeria and Africa as a whole. This exhibition is deeply rooted in my personal history, inspired by the stamps collected by my father, a passionate philatelist. The stamps, with their detailed designs and markings, ignited my imagination, allowing me to dream of distant places while remaining deeply connected to my African identity.
My art is both a journey through time and a bridge between the past and the present. Through my paintings, I aim to remind viewers of the simplicity, beauty, and humanity that often marked life in earlier times. These works also aim to serve as a reminder to future generations, that art can be used as a tool for preserving and celebrating our traditions, customs and the lived experiences of those who came before us.
The subjects in my paintings are not entirely abstract figures, but people I encountered throughout my upbringing—family members, neighbors, and everyday individuals who shaped my understanding of the world. Through them, I seek to capture a moment in time, a way of life that, while perhaps simpler, was also filled with a distinct richness.
Vintage elements frequently appear in my work: the grandfather clock, the coal iron, old telephones, transistor radios, decorative aluminum pans, typewriters etc. These objects, some now out of use, were once important to daily life, and they hold within them stories of past generations. Fashion, too, plays a significant role, as I explore the elegance of vintage prints and attires that speak to an era of grace and pride in our history.
This exhibition seeks to create an awareness on the importance of preserving and reviving African culture on a global scale. Each work acts as a vessel for stories that spread to generations, reminding us of our collective responsibility to honor and pass down our traditions, while also embracing how far we've come. Through this body of work, I hope to inspire viewers to engage with the richness of African heritage and to recognize it's continued relevance and influence in shaping the world at large."
