Born in 1979, lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria.
In his work, Kelani Abass explores the importance of the material heritage and the archive as a link between the past and the present. The photographic image is the starting point for a multi-layered plastic work.
As a creative medium and object of memory, the photographic image is dissected and analysed through the multiplicity of forms that compose it. For his three-dimensional works, the artist uses old portrait photographs, original or reproduced in paint, which he retrieves from the archives inherited from his father's publishing business. Metal typefaces and other elements from the world of printing are added to these compositions. The relationship to memory and the importance of the archive assumes another dimension in his graphic work, where he recreates the image by repeated imprints applied with an ink pad.
Kelani Abass thus brings to light these fragile and personal testimonies of a past time in Nigeria celebrating its independence. In this study of the "manufacture" of the image, the latter appears in its essential function as a support for memory - a fragmentary and multiple memory, rewritten and reassembled by the artist's hands.
Trained at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Kelani Abass has exhibited in Nigeria and internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include [Re:] Entanglements, Contemporary Art and Colonial Archives at the National Museum Lagos in 2020 and If I could save time at the CCA Lagos in 2019.
In 2020 he has been selected to present his work at the 5th Casablanca International Biennale. Kelani Abass has participated in several residencies and workshops including Headlands Center for the Arts, San Francisco, California and Malt Air, Maltfabrikken, Ebetoft, Denmark.
CURRICULUM VITAE
SOLO SHOWS
2021
1-54 Paris, 31 PROJECT, Paris – France
2020
Iranti, 31 PROJECT, Paris – France
2019
Re-entanglements, Contemporary art and Colonial History, National Museum, Lagos - Nigeria
2016
If I could save time, CCA, Lagos – Nigeria
Aso Igba, Art Clip Africa, Lagos - Nigeria
2013
Asiko-evoking personal narratives and collective history, CCA,
Lagos - Nigeria
2011
Man & Machine, Omenka Gallery, Lagos - Nigeria
2009
Paradigm Shift, Mydrim Gallery, Lagos - Nigeria
GROUP SHOWS | Selection
2022
Art Paris Art Fair, 31 PROJECT, Paris – France
2021
Cinquième Biennale Internationale de Casablanca – Maroc
AKAA, 31 PROJECT, Paris - France
Artissima, 31 PROJECT, Paris - France
1-54 Londres, Londres - UK
2020
Art Paris art fair, 31 PROJECT, Paris – France
Three Borders, Palais de Lome - Togo
2019
No Room for Fear, SMO Contemporary art, London – UK
AKAA, Nil Gallery, Paris - France
1:54 London, SMO Contemporary art, London - UK
2018
Contemporaries II, SMO Contemporary art, Lagos - Nigeria
Gallery of Small Things, CCA Lagos, Dakar – Senegal
Art X Lagos, Arthouse Contemporary, Lagos - Nigeria
1:54 London, SMO Contemporary art, London - UK
2017
Ori Meta, Odun Meta, Ibikan, ISCP, New York - USA
African Culture & Design Festival, Lagos - Nigeria
2016
Shades of Time, National Museum, Onikan, Lagos - Nigeria
Ori Meta, Odun Meta, Ibikan, CCA, Lagos - Nigeria
2014
Painting the Cliche, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzbourg - Austria
Art for Peace, African Union, Addis Ababa- Ethiopie, puis Damla Art House, Istanbul - Turquie et Waldorf Astoria, New York - USA
FNB Joburg Art Fair, Sandton Convention Centre – South Africa
2012
Live Constructions. Time. Form. Daily, CCA, Lagos - Nigeria
Convergence, Svengali Designs, Omenka Gallery, Lagos – Nigeria
Joburg Art Fair, Sandton Convention Centre - South Africa
2010
City of a Thousand Masks, Caterina de Medici/3rd Black Heritage Exhibition, Nike Art Gallery, Lagos – Nigeria
Art Expo, 4th International Art Expo Nigéria, National Museum,
Lagos - Nigeria
2008
Art Expo, 3rd International Art Expo Nigéria, National Museum,
Lagos - Nigeria
2005
Within Our Grasp, National Museum, Lagos - Nigeria
2002
God of this age, Didi Museum, Lagos - Nigeria
WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES | Selection
2022
3 Weeks Residency at La Maison d’Odile, by The Room Projects,
Bernède – France
2020
Malt Air, Maltfabrikken, Ebetoft - Danemark
2018
Headlands Center for the Arts, San Francisco - USA
2014
Salzburg International Summer Academy, Painting the cliché - Austria
2013
Professional Development Workshop for artists, CCA, Lagos - Nigeria
2012
4 weeks international residency, History/Matter with CCA, Lagos - Nigeria
2010
2 weeks residency programme by CCA and Triangle Workshop – Nigeria
AWARDS
2016
The 2016 Achievers Alumni's Excellence Award, Yaba College of Technology
2014
Distinguished Artists, Society of Nigérian Artist, Lagos Chapter
2010
First Prize winner, Caterina de Medici/3rd Black Heritage
International Painting Competition
EDUCATION
2007
Yaba College of Technology, Lagos - Nigeria
Higher National Diploma (peinture)
2004
Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria
National Diploma (Art Général)
WITH 31 PROJECT
PUBLICATIONS
2020
ÌRÁNTÍ
EXHIBITIONS
2020
SMALL, group show
ÌRÁNTÍ, solo show, with catalogue
ARTFAIRS
2021
AKAA, Paris
Artissima, Turin
1-54, London
1-54, Paris, solo show
2020
Art Paris Art Fair, group show