October Gallery is proud to celebrate the 90th birthday of Professor Ablade Glover with a solo exhibition of his newest series of paintings. As an artist who has been part of our family since we first showcased his vibrant works in 1982, we are thrilled to commemorate this significant milestone with him.
Courtesy October Gallery, London.
Photo © Jonathan Greet
In his new exhibition, “Inner Worlds, Outer Journeys,” Glover traces the arc of his artistic journey, demonstrating an evolution of style that his younger self might not have dreamt of. The exhibition pays homage to his journey of self-discovery, presenting a rich tapestry of his accomplished life in art.
Glover’s career spans over seven decades, and his diverse roles as artist, educator, and curator have earned him a distinguished place in Ghana and on the international art scene. His influence has not only been through his teachings and mentorships but also through his continuous evolution as a painter.
In a riotous wash of color, Glover’s distinct canvases celebrate the visual riches of his homeland, Ghana. Using warm primary colors that echo the intense solar heat of his native country, he depicts the pulsating scenes of everyday life— a bustling market, a vibrant crowd, or the individual pursuits of people in a busy town square.
Opting for a palette knife over a brush, Glover’s utilization of the thick impasto technique is skillful and expressive. It brings to life the restless energy of crowded spaces, which surprisingly resolves into discernible figures, faces, and gestures only when viewed from a certain distance. This fascinating interplay between figuration and abstraction is integral to Glover’s allure, as individual figures emerge and fade into the flurry of restless energies captured in his work.
Through his dynamic canvases, Glover asserts that oil painting remains a crucial part of Africa’s contemporary art scene. It is both a powerful medium for individual expression and a tool to record and celebrate Africa’s complex and visually rich narratives.
Join us at the October Gallery from 4th July to 3rd August, 2024, and immerse yourself in Glover’s rich and colorful world that promises to make you see Africa in a whole new light.
October Gallery
24 Old Gloucester St, London WC1N 3AL, United Kingdom
Courtesy October Gallery, London.