On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

April 1 - April 12, 2025

Artist Statement

My abstract paintings examine the representation and coverage of protests and civil unrest in mainstream media, shedding light on events that often go unnoticed or receive minimal attention. My work seeks to spark conversations and curiosity surrounding these overlooked protests, amplifying the voices of the demonstrators and their demands. I use abstraction to offer anonymity to the protesters and distance viewers from the often traumatic realities being protested. I blur faces, bodies, and individuals into gestural marks and vibrant color fields, creating a visual language that transcends direct representation. The geometric extrusion of the shapes in this painting is a demonstration of order and statehood. On the other hand, the gestural marks are representations of chaos and disruption.

Artist Bio

Adekunle Ogunleke is a second year MFA student at the University of Missouri. His studio practice is concentrated on drawing and painting. His abstract paintings examine the representation and coverage of protests and civil unrest in mainstream media.