By Adefoyeke Ajao

On December 3, 2017, “Transparent”, a solo exhibition of recent works by visual artist Isaac Emokpae opened at Rele Gallery. Although Transparent features work in a variety of media, the main attraction lies in its stained glass paintings. Emokpae favours this medium because “[stained] glass, through [its] reflective quality, give[s] a reverent ambience evoking melancholy or conferring upon a space an invitation for visitors to engage in sombre reflection”. Transparent pays homage to “both divine and earthly father figures who have spurred [Emokpae] on in his creative pursuits”. According to the artist, the exhibition title does not simply describe the glass medium’s translucence but connotes the glass medium’s “typification of humanity; how people are like glass and how [they] transmit the essence when God’s light shines through [them]”.

The duality of meaning in Transparent is not restricted to its title but is a recurring theme in many of the stained glass works; some of which pay homage to iconic figures from the Benin Empire: ‘The Leopard King’ depicts a split persona of half man, half leopard, and makes reference to the Oba of Benin, who is metaphorically described as Ekpen N’owa, or “the leopard at home”. ‘Monarch 2’ also ascribes a dual personality to Queen Idia, the first Queen Mother of the Benin Empire, while a series titled ‘Face of Man’ depicts the multiplicities of human nature. With Transparent, Emokpae banishes the thought that stained glass can only function appropriately when used as glass panes that allow light to pass through them. While most of the artworks graced Rele Gallery’s pristine walls, some of them also functioned as table tops, and they were no less magnificent when held against opaque backgrounds. Emokpae’s decision to honour his muses through stained glass is a sound and fitting choice that emphasises his admiration for them. The artworks evoke an ambience of solemnity that is typical of places of worship – a welcome relief from the racket that typifies the busy streets outside the gallery.

Emokpae’s meticulously-crafted stained glass paintings not only serve as a befitting homage but also “act as a conduit for contemplation”.

*Isaac Emokpae’s Transparent is at Rele Gallery until 7th of January 2018

Photos courtesy of Rele Gallery/ Twitter