Michael Enejison

Biography

I am an artist and an environmentalist. My art contemplates the intersection of culture, civilization and the natural environment. I do this predominantly using mixed media with visual devices of texts, collage, tactility and print.

In 2017 I moved to Lagos Nigeria. I was a part of the curatorial team of the inaugural Lagos Biennial and my works have been featured in exhibitions and auctions in Lagos and Abuja. My project was listed as a finalist in the National Art Competition (2015)and the Sterlingbank/British Council Recycle Art competition(2017).

Artist Statement

The path of an abstract artist is usually one that presents itself as a confrontation to the maker- a perpetual probe asking, what in the world he is making? As such the abstract artist, myself in this scenario is forced to find definitive meaning, before, during and at the summation of creation.

My practice has been characterized by the broad themes of transformations in civilization and the natural environment. These are saliently portrayed in my use of materials and textual devices in works such as the triumph of memory and the fields of a million promises.

My recent works introduce languages that I have not explored hitherto.  Incognito is a body of work that is altogether new although it bears a stump of my fascination with civilization as with my previous works but this time with a future-slanted perspective. As an artist that rarely expresses blatant representation or portraiture, I find myself delighted, even lured into the potentials and discourses that this works holds. As we increasingly become a generation that is invested in the virtual, this series puts a spotlight on the meaning of reality- which world becomes real, the present tangible one or the fast-evolving virtual one. Will our lives be more virtual than concrete in the future or is this already the trend? The issues raised by this technological evolution include identity, privacy and citizenship. Some countries like Estonia are already issuing digital nomads visas. Now, theft of identity is a big deal. Personal data and private life has become resources big tech poach into. My exploration of using QR codes in obliterated portraits is directly birthed from this contemplation.

Exhibitions

Otherworldly, hosted by ArtTwenty Lagos

Salon exhibition hosted in Sweden where I now live and practice.