Conceptual portraits through Atolagbe’s digital lens

Taking his lens through the paths of fantasy, vulnerability of memory and sociological issues, photographer Olaniyi Atolagbe applies digital aid in expanding contemporary narrative. His captures of people in portrait, to some extent, brings creativity to photography with his conceptual approach.

Atolagbe’s photography, in image remaking, diverts attention from the diverse local and global crisis, offering exciting relief alternative in art appreciation. Some of the works that drag people’s thoughts away from worries include concepts of imaginations, fantasy, dreams among others.

However, son of his labelling in style or forms can be contested in visual art terms as one or two works brings contentious perspective to art. For example, one of the works he described as surreal could pass for common sceneries, particularly in Africa.

To some extent, Atolagbe’s style of storytelling with photography engages keen and critical observers into depth of dialogue. Viewing one of the pieces ‘Passage of Memory’, gives an opportunity into the photographer’s thoughts about space and time as the central figure’s walk into a beam of light invites curiosity. Apart from the strength of the work in which he exposes the ambiguity of space, it also explores vulnerability of memory. Atolagbe’s ‘Passage of Memory’ depicts the time and space when tech and gadgets betray man’s expertise, especially at the point of data failure.

On the analogy of the strength of natural ability, despite man’s imperfection, Atolagbe expands the narrative in another work titled Distorted Signals. The work, a capture of tricycle in motion, creates blurring image that could pass for abstraction, symbolising the limitations of human against nature. Blurring motion, either with digital or regular capture of the lens is one of the exciting moments of photography as Atolagbe’s Distorted Signals also celebrates colours of nature.

In fantasy and spirituality captured in one theme, Atolagbe investigates human capacity of imagination in ‘Rooted Dreams’, where the subject and the spirit of a tree engage in unspoken conversation. What exactly is the language of dialogue between the woman and the tree? In artistic capturing, the photo artist in Atolagbe provides answer in digital creativity by applying technique of fussing the tree into the subconscious realm of the woman.

Coming from non-art background, specifically a Mathematician, Atolagbe appears to have settled for  photography as a career, beyond being passive enthusiast. His project in documentary like ‘Night Time Series’ (2023), asserts his growing career in photography.

Whoever sees another work of Atolagbe titled Unseen Exchange as surreal, in the context of the photographer’s presentation, share similar perception with him. With a mountain of landscape nature in the background of a trader, one is not convinced enough to accept the composition as surreal. It could have been on a rural setting where a dweller trades in market lane to a mountainous scenery.

On the other side of art appreciation, Unseen Exchange is perhaps a good example in how digital photography can convincingly replicate painting. If all you want is colour on the wall, irrespective of the medium or process of creating art, Atolagbe’s digital photo artist fits on your choice of collection. Though in blue dominant colour, the piece which has a trader descending onto the floor to display his wares, the narrative of mild obscurity fits the choice of non-loud colours.

Coming from non-art background, specifically a Mathematician, Atolagbe appears to have settled for photography as a career, beyond being passive enthusiast. His project in documentary like ‘Night Time Series’ (2023), asserts his growing career in photography.