Maryland Art Place is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new paintings by Maryland-based artist, Osaretin Ugiagbe in partnership with SLAG/RX NYC. The exhibition is on view at Hotel Indigo Baltimore , located at 24 West Franklin St. from January 23 – May 3. A public reception will take place Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 from 5-7pm.
About: the artist: Osaretin Ugiagbe, born in Lagos in 1986, has been moving from city to city since leaving Lagos at the age of 16. He travels within his mind, carrying his memories as baggage and reconstructing them in each new place and culture he discovers. Faces blend into an interior scene, leaving behind only an atmosphere where his memories intertwine.
Ugiagbe studied at the Royal College of Art in London and graduated in 2019 with a Master of Art (Painting Program). He has exhibited in several museums, including the Bronx Documentary Center and the Bronx Museum of Art, and his work is part of the collection at the Museum of Fine Art Houston. Articles about him have been featured in The New York Times and the Financial Times in London.
By concealing the faces in his artwork, Ugiagbe invites viewers to actively engage with the narratives of his protagonists. Furthermore, he conveys not only a sense of universality but also vulnerability and protection. This duality adds layers of complexity to the artwork, encouraging viewers to explore their own emotions and experiences.
The artist skillfully incorporates the motif of Bounty paper towels to obscure the faces of his characters, thus providing insightful commentary on the detrimental impact of globalized consumerism which inevitably leads to homogeneity. In doing so, Ugiagbe draws a parallel between the assimilative nature of Bounty paper towels, seamlessly absorbing and obscuring our distinctive identities. Additionally, as an immigrant himself, the artist evokes a lingering sense of displacement and transience as he navigates between contrasting realms.
Please join us on Wednesday, February 21 from 5 to 7 pm at Hotel Indigo for the opening champagne reception (free) celebrating the solo exhibition of Osaretin Ugiagbe. Hotel indigo is located at 24 West Franklin Street
About SLAG/RX: With a global mindset and advancement at its core, Slag furthers its presence with its partnership with RX Paris. In 2021, the two galleries partnered, turning the establishment in Chelsea into a global presence. The two galleries share visions and artists across borders, exchanging their unique outlooks with each other. This partnership brings new ideas and perspectives to Slag and broadens the promotional platform available to the galleries’ represented artists.
Slag Gallery was established in 2008 and currently resides in the heart of Chelsea. Since its founding, Slag has prioritized supporting its artists through all stages of their careers. Through the publication of catalogs, art fairs, and exchange programs with various art organizations, Slag elevates its emerging artists and helps advance their careers and those of its more established artists.
Maryland Art Place (MAP) inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981. mdartplace.org.
