Ayodeji Ayodele educates the world with “Unending Circle” exhibition

Growing up in Nigeria, the word menstruation is an off word. It is rarely talked about, and society tends to turn a blind eye to it. In the social space, there are sayings, phrases, slangs that are used in place of mentioning the word. Some Women don’t even like talking about it, it is something that we all know happens yet the topic is silenced or less talked about.

In recent times, painters, writers, women’s rights activists, feminists, philosophers, musicians, and, more recently, visual artists have taken active roles in reeducating and reorienting the public on the topic.

On the 24th of August, 2024,  the Nigerian-born Visual Artist Ayodeji Ayodele featured images about this topic during the Impacto Exhibition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Ayodeji Ayodele  who started off as a child prodigy has swirled between video producer, colourist, still & motion designer. With extensive years of experience in digital media, television and broadcast media, public relations and advertising, he has successfully transitioned into visual art making a significant impact with appreciable volume of impact. His works span themes such as  art covering culture, breaking gender biases and social norms, landscape and abstract. Now dedicated to fine art photography, he focuses on capturing images that explore. He loves to snap images about cultural issues and subvert gender stereotypes and social norms. His photographs are a medium to talk about and reflect on these important issues and have an impact on the viewer.

His exhibition which he titled “Unending Circle” finds him reframe menstruation as a symbol of strength, he also explores existential journey. With his camera, Ayodeji has become a symbol of change in Nigeria.

In this image snapped by the Visual Artist, a lady’s face is covered with a pad. A Red letter love shaped is at the centre. While it is a minimal image, the story or  message it elicits is in volume. While menstruation remains a topic that is still not widely talked about, he feels there is a need for change. The red colour on the pad represents the pain women go through.

The love shape shows that he cares or perhaps, the world should show women in this situation the love, care, admiration, support and help they desire. The white background of the image signifies purity. So many messages are passed by the photographer with this single image. One of the drawbacks of an image like this is that people tend to overlook its importance due to the fact that it isn’t an artwork yet the message is deeper if it is thoroughly looked into.

The photograph forces viewers to confront their own biases with the artist juxtaposing a sanitary pad with a symbol of love, it compels people  to reconsider societal norms.   The blindness implied by the pad challenges viewers to “see differently,” asking them to reimagine menstruation not as a source of shame, but as a natural, even sacred, aspect of human existence.

Through his photography Ayodele has become a beacon of hope for women, calling attention to the plight, while at the same time urging the people, society and government to come to their aid via advocacy, healthcare treatment and also giving them a sense of belonging.

The drive for change still requires a lot of work.  Ayodeji Ayodele has done his part by calling attention to a germane topic with this simple and stylish photograph. I hope with time, other creatives will join the train and make the change the society and women required.