Oyeleke’s HUEMANIST Exhibition Berths at Terra Kulture

Emmanuel Oyeleke is ready to showcase his new body of works at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos at a solo exhibition of photographic works titled, “The Huemanist”.

Oyeleke is a trained computer programmer who ventured into fashion photography. This journey started in 2012 when he attended a photography workshop with the likes of Kelechi Amadi Obi, Isaac Emokpae amongst others as facilitators. It became a turning point in his career.

“It was called the Future Enterprise Support Scheme by Red Media, the organisers of the Future Awards,” he recounted. Meanwhile, he had his tertiary education at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and later, Lead City University, Ibadan where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. His sojourn to Lagos was in 2011 when he took part in the mandatory National Youth Service Corp.

He usually works in large format so that the viewer can be immersed in the world of his visual storytelling. With inkjet on canvas, he has captured a variety of human experience.

“The works explore the innate ability to be noble or to do good; love, desire, self-attainment and security. Bad experiences should not make us give up on love or define who we are,” he explained during a press briefing where he announced that the show  runs from April 5 to 11. The young photographer made his first statement in the art scene in 2016 with his first solo show titled, “Revealed”. This year, he is walking the talk on humanity with a CSR initiative.

“We’re partnering with Women At Risk International Foundation. A certain percentage of the proceeds from this exhibition goes to the foundation,” he revealed.

Oyeleke won the Future Awards Prize for Photography in 2018 and The ASFA Fashion Photographer of the year (AFRICA) in 2018. He has worked with numerous designers and brands namely Deola Sagoe, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, OUCH Couture, Grey Velvet, Chidinma Obairi, Orange Culture, GTBank Food and Drinks, TW Magazine, Genevieve Magazine, Wow Magazine, Zaron Cosmetics, Black Opal Nigeria, Samsung, Unilever, Hairfinity USA etc.

Oyeleke’s works at the show include “He and She”, “Affection”, “Communion”, “When Silence is Golden,” “And No Vacuum Exists,” “Dance to Self-Elevation series” “The Bloom Series” etc.

Perhaps, one of the most fascinating of his series rests in the ‘Bloom Series’ which is essentially a composite.