iLÀ

The exhibition addresses very important issues around how we navigate the challenge of honoring our cultural heritage while also embracing modern values and lifestyles. How does the intersection of tradition and modernity impact one’s sense of self?

It gives answers to how individuals often embrace facial markings as unique markers of their ancestral connection, regardless of contemporary beauty standards. “iLÀ” holds deep meaning as a statement of identification in West Africa.

What do you really know about knowledge? And how does it translate to art? Knowledge is not just what you know. It is who you are. It defines your options, not just intellectually, but in all respects. You can’t know something and then step back to be something completely different.

My ongoing works of art are deeply inscribed with knowledge of history and my cultural heritage. My objective is to relay a visual map of the different ways in our culture that humans develop knowledge about themselves.

Through raw realism, I intend to provoke emotions in you, the necessary catalyst to encourage a shift in the nature of ongoing conversations around the themes of beauty and facial/body markings.

In his latest exhibition, iLÀ, Israel Fatola delves into the rich tradition of tribal marks, using his signature hyper-realistic style to explore the profound cultural significance and personal identity embedded in these marks. iLÀ, a term meaning “tribal mark,” serves as a powerful symbol of heritage, belonging, and the enduring connection between the individual and their community.

Fatola’s hyper-realistic paintings bring these often overlooked marks to life, capturing their intricate details with remarkable precision. Each piece is an exploration of the ways in which tribal marks – symbols of identity, status, and history – have been used across generations to communicate stories and connections that are both deeply personal and culturally universal.

In this exhibition, Fatola moves beyond the surface, inviting the viewer to engage with the emotional depth and cultural importance of these marks. The work challenges the viewer to reconsider how we define and express our identities in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing that these marks are not only physical but also spiritual, marking one’s place in a much larger narrative.

Hosted at Gemini Arts Gallery, iLÀ provides a space for reflection on how art, culture, and identity intersect. Fatola’s hyper-realism invites us to see these facial and body markings not just as art but as a vital form of storytelling – one that continues to shape the present while preserving the past. – Raphael Akinnire, Director, Gemini Arts Gallery

Contributor’s remark

“That Fatola has chosen this path to translate these markings into visual form for our aesthetic appreciation, is a way of reminding us of our socio-cultural heritage. This heritage has endured time and global trends.” – Mufu Onifade, fsna, National Gallery of Art, Abuja