Rele, London is pleased to present ‘More Than Meets the Eye’ from 8th October to 16th November 2024.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct 10th, 6-9pm
Our duo exhibition showcases 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.
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 toward 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.
Dr Hassan Aliyu Runaway Man
Extended Hours For Frieze Week:
Tuesday – Sunday
10am – 6pm
Private Viewings:
By Appointment – london@rele.co
To request Preview, send a mail to: sales@rele.co
Click here for directions – london@rele.co
5-7 Dover Street
Mayfair
London
W1S4LD
United Kingdom
