Collins Obijiaku, Up and About, 2023. Oil and charcoal on paper. 39.37 x 31.5 in (100 x 80 cm). Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles, California. Collins Obijiaku would never forget his first rendezvous with the ocean. By the artist's own admission, he was so awe-struck by the mighty blue of the Atlantic that its imposing presence has pervaded his thoughts and art ever since.
Atlantic, the artist's solo show currently on view at Roberts Projects, presents a new series of signature quarter-length portraits inspired by this encounter. These works feature gestural renderings of the deep-shaded ocean, with elegant figures of Black men and women gazing straight at the viewer. In a departure from the monochromatic backgrounds of his earlier portraits, this series serves as a Black ode to the Atlantic Ocean—its unending ability to transform, conceal, and reveal the deepest truths, as well as its role in explaining the complexities of Black subjectivity.
The ocean has been a source of endless inspiration for artists throughout history. Its enigmatic undulation has puzzled and fascinated both ancient and modern practitioners, who have tapped into its ineffable mysteries to explore our own.
Born and raised in northern Nigeria, Obijiaku never truly had the opportunity to witness the oceanic blue before 2020, when he participated in the residency program founded by Kehinde Wiley in Dakar, Senegal. The encounter proved profound and transformative. In the ocean's vast unknown, Obijiaku witnessed a transcendence that is constantly changing. Moreover, he recognized the ocean's cultural significance relative to Black identity, understanding it as a body of water deeply interlinked with all facets of Black experience—the struggles, resilience, and potential for renewal.
I aimed to encapsulate the essence of my first oceanic encounter in these works—the sense of awe, the recognition of life's impermanence and the beauty of constant transformation.
Obijiaku's work explores identity, culture, and the human experience by intertwining personal narratives with collective histories, often reflecting on the intersections of personal and communal identity. His portraits, characterized by unbroken eye contact, foster intimacy and invite viewers to reflect on their perceptions of identity and belonging. By blending oil, acrylic, and charcoal, he creates layered textures that mirror the complexity of the identities he represents. This artistic approach invites audiences to engage with the broader socio-cultural narratives that shape our understanding of the Black experience, highlighting the resilience and dynamism inherent in these stories.
Reflecting the profound impact of his initial encounter with the ocean, the works from the new Atlantic series convey the ontological relationship between Black subjectivity and the water's constant mutability.
The portraits depict five Black figures set against the oceanic background, each engaging the viewer with a direct gaze that commands attention. This intentional choice is a hallmark of Obijiaku's practice, where eye contact transcends mere representation, inviting viewers to participate in a shared moment of recognition and reflection. This engagement fosters a deeper connection, encouraging audiences to contemplate not only the individual identities of the figures but also the collective narratives they embody. Additionally, the shallow depth of field further blends the figures into the watery backdrop, creating an interplay that underscores the interconnectedness of humanity and nature while acknowledging the ocean's profound role in shaping personal and collective identity.
The exhibition Collins Obijiaku: Atlantic will be on view at Roberts Projects in New York until November 2nd, 2024.
