Rele London is pleased to present 'More Than Meets the Eye' from 8th October to 16th November 2024. A duo exhibition showcasing the exceptional talents of Ethiopian artist Kalaeb Abate and British-born Nigerian artist Dr Hassan Aliyu. This exhibition brings these two distinctive voices together, offering audiences an exploration of layered realities, where initial impressions are only the beginning.
Each artist’s work challenges viewers to delve deeper, uncovering emotional complexity and fragmented forms beneath the surface. Through a variety of mediums, both Abate and Aliyu explore the intersection of abstraction and surrealism, delivering works that are as thought-provoking as they are visually captivating.
Both Kalaeb Abate and Dr Hassan Aliyu invite viewers to move beyond surface-level appreciation, urging them to investigate the intricate layers of meaning within their works. In Abate’s distorted, surreal forms, there is a deep emotional undercurrent that requires contemplation, where familiar figures and structures take on dreamlike qualities. His use of fragmented, deformed figures and public monuments reflects not only the complexities of societal memory but also the unspoken anxieties, desires, and experiences of the human condition. By blending abstraction with recognisable elements, Abate challenges viewers to question their assumptions about history, identity, and the unseen forces that shape everyday life.
Similarly, Dr Aliyu’s collaged paintings, composed of recycled materials and vibrant textures, embody a fusion of the personal and the political. His works are visually engaging yet layered with socio-political critique, referencing global capitalism, colonialism, and the legacies of exploitation. His art disrupts the expected, using abstraction to point towards the fractured realities of African history and contemporary existence. By creating works that are visually fragmented yet thematically rich, Aliyu pushes viewers to engage with the multi-dimensionality of his subjects, where each piece reveals hidden depths and connections that provoke further thought.
The exhibition is an invitation to look closer—where fragmented realities merge, and abstract expressions challenge the obvious. Together, these artists create a visual dialogue that questions the boundaries of perception, ambiguity, and the human experience.
More Than Meets the Eye is a call to action for the audience. It invites viewers not to passively observe the artworks, but to actively engage with them, peeling back layers of meaning that lie hidden beneath the surface. Abate’s surreal depictions of human figures and Aliyu’s richly textured collages offer multiple interpretations, encouraging visitors to form their own conclusions. The works blur the line between reality and fantasy, as fragmented realities—whether they be the distorted monuments of Abate’s urban landscapes or the complex historical narratives in Aliyu’s collages—come together in unexpected ways.
The exhibition underscores the idea that perception is not a fixed or simple act, but a dynamic process that involves confronting ambiguity and seeking out the unseen. As these two artists bring their distinct perspectives into conversation, they challenge the viewer to reassess what they think they know about history, society, and their own place within it.
Kalaeb Abate makes his London debut with his signature "fantasized realities" from his body of work titled The Purest Form of Fantasy. Known for his meticulous technique that blends printmaking and drawing, Abate creates distorted, dreamlike figures that evoke a profound emotional resonance. His works invite viewers to reconsider conventional perceptions of reality and engage with the unseen and the subconscious. Abate’s pieces explore the role of monuments, public spaces, and societal impressions in a nation’s history, making a powerful statement about the influence of politics, education, and youth on cultural identity.
Dr Hassan Aliyu (DProf), FRSA, is a distinguished artist known for his transformative collaged paintings. As a member of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (MGFA) and president of the Nigeria Art Society UK (NASUK), Aliyu’s work delves into the impact of global capitalism on the Global South, as well as the enduring legacies of enslavement and colonialism. His innovative use of recyclable materials, inspired by Nigeria's Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in the 1980s, reflects his exploration of Africa's socio-economic challenges. Aliyu critiques Western cultural imperialism, consumerism, and third-world debt through his art, advocating for social justice and meaningful discourse on Africa’s developmental trajectory.
