KELANI ABASS
Kelani Abass
was born in 1979. He lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria.
Kelani Abass explores in his work the importance of material heritage and the archive as a bridge between past and present. As a multimedia artist, he studies the possibilities inherent in painting, photography and printing in order to explore the "factory" of the image: the image as a trace and as a support for memory. In his compositions, the artist mixes original or painted old photographic portraits, metallic typefaces and other elements from the world of printing. Kelani Abass thus brings to light these fragile and personal testimonies of a bygone era of a Nigeria celebrating its independence.
Trained at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Kelani Abass had exhibited in Nigeria and internationally. Recent solo exhibitions include ‘[Re:] Entanglements, Contemporary Art and Colonial Archives’, National Museum Lagos in 2019 and 'if I could save time' at CCA Lagos in 2019. In 2020, He has been selected to present his work at the 5th International Biennale Casablanca . Kelani Abass has taken part in several residencies and workshops including Headlands Center for the Arts, San Francisco, California and Malt Air, Maltfabrikken, Ebetoft Denmark.
GROUP SHOWS - Selection
2020
Three Borders, Palais de Lome - Togo
2019
No Room for Fear, SMO Contemporary art, London – Royaume-Uni
2018
Contemporaries II, SMO Contemporary art, Lagos - Nigéria
Gallery of Small Things, CCA Lagos, Dakar - Sénégal
2017
Ori Meta, Odun Meta, Ibikan, ISCP, New York - États-Unis
2016
Shades of Time, National Museum, Onikan, Lagos - Nigéria
Ori Meta, Odun Meta, Ibikan, CCA, Lagos - Nigéria
2014
Painting the Cliche, Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg - Autriche
Art for Peace, African Union, Addis Ababa- Ethopia, puis Damla Art House, Istanbul -Turquie et Waldorf Astoria, New York - États-Unis
2012
Live Constructions. Time. Form. Daily, CCA, Lagos - Nigéria
Convergence, Svengali Designs, Omenka Gallery, Lagos - Nigéria
2010
City of a ThoÉtats-Unisnd Masks, Caterina de Medici/3rd Black Heritage Exhibition, Nike Art Gallery, Lagos - Nigéria
2005
Within Our Grasp, National Museum, Lagos - Nigéria
2002
God of this age, Didi Museum, Lagos - Nigéria
SOLO SHOWS
2019
Re-entanglements, Contemporary art and Colonial History, National Museum, Lagos - Nigéria
2016
If I could save time, CCA, Lagos – Nigéria
Aso Igba, Art Clip Africa, Lagos - Nigéria
2013
Asiko-evoking personal narratives and collective history, CCA, Lagos - Nigéria
2011
Man & Machine, Omenka Gallery, Lagos - Nigéria
2009
Paradigm Shift, Mydrim Gallery, Lagos - Nigéria
ARTFAIRS - Selection
2019
Also Known As Africa, Nil Gallery, Paris - France
1:54 London, SMO Contemporary art, London - Royaume-Uni
2018
Art X Lagos, Arthouse Contemporary, Lagos - Nigéria
1:54 London, SMO Contemporary art, London - Royaume-Uni
2017
African Culture & Design Festival, Lagos - Nigéria
2014
FNB Joburg Art Fair, Sandton Convention Centre – Afrique du Sud
2012
Joburg Art Fair, Sandton Convention Centre - Afrique du Sud
2010
Art Expo, 4th International Art Expo Nigéria, National Museum, Lagos - Nigéria
2008
Art Expo, 3rd International Art Expo Nigéria, National Museum, Lagos - Nigéria
WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES - Selection
2020
Malt Air, Maltfabrikken, Ebetoft - Danemark
2018
Headlands Center for the Arts, San Francisco - États-Unis
2014
Salzburg International Summer Academy, Painting the cliché - Autriche
2013
Professional Development Workshop for artists, CCA, Lagos - Nigéria
2012
4 Weeks International art residency, History/Matter with CCA, Lagos - Nigéria
2010
2 Weeks Residency Programme by CCA and Triangle Workshop – Nigéria
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 - Nigéria
Higher National Diploma (peinture)
2004
Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigéria
National Diploma (Art Général)