iLÀ
The Marks We Bear: The Stories We Tell
The exhibition addresses very important issues around how we navigate the challenge of honoring our cultural heritage while also embracing modern values and lifestyles.
How does the intersection of tradition and modernity impacts one’s sense of self?
It gives answers to how Individuals often embrace facial markings as unique markers of their ancestral connection, regardless of contemporary beauty standards.
“iLA” holds deep meaning as a statement of identification in West Africa.
ABSTREALISM ‘II’
2024
52 cm x 81 cm
(20.5 In x 32 In)
Charcoal on Archival Paper
CONTRIBUTOR'S REMARK:
That Fatola has chosen this path to translate these markings into visual form for our aesthetic appreciation, is a way of reminding us of our socio-cultural heritage.
This heritage has endured time and global trends
Mufu Onifade, fsna
National Gallery of Art, Abuja.
SOUL SISTERS 'I' SYNOPSIS
SOUL SISTERS ‘I’
2024
53.34 cm x 83.83 cm
(21 In x 33 In)
Charcoal on Archival Paper
SOUL SISTERS 'I' SYNOPSIS
The story of these two beautiful ladies is rife with mixed experiences. It goes way back to when they were kids, facing rejection amongst peers in schools and finding new ways to adapt and live with the reality as adults.
The piece is titled “Soul Sisters”. Its meaning is assigned not just in my representation of stones in the composition alone, but also through the human interactions that ensued prior to creating the artwork (the narrative and social Interactions on how both subjects connected by virtue of a common ground that they both experienced and can relate to).
When we observe the attributes of stones, so much can be said of their harmonizing effect of vibrational energies ascribed to them: a possibly relative mechanism through which humans leave an effect on another after coming in contact with them.
I find this very intriguing: having two individuals who have never met prior and can instantly connect with each other, despite having contradicting realities on the impact of facial markings and how it might have affected them on so many levels.
I have invited them to the studio to share their unique perspective on their facial marks. And as it turns out, they had so much to say, and each person has found a unique way to live with these marks.
The relative effect of facial markings on the body naturally depends on our individual attitude towards them. For some people, the presence of these marks can actually have positive effects on their well-being, (which is the case with Mufu Onifade as cited in the foreward) while others may not have a noticeable difference because they do not resonate with these marks, projecting an aura of negativity and a lack of self confidence.
The two sides of a stone. Through the use of stone, I aim to express a visual message laced with symbolic
meanings in personal Identity and self Identity.
Unbroken Pieces
Charcoal and Pastel on Archival Paper
22 In x 33 In
(55 cm x 83 cm)
2025
The journey of pursuing your passion can lead to significant growth, not just to self, but also growth of those who encounter the results of your relentless passion.
This human experience ultimately leads to growth, discovery, and improvement, both at an individual level and the community at large.
My own journey with iLA began three years ago, marked by countless iterations and refinements.
Witnessing your connections with each piece has filled me with the courage to continue pushing boundaries. iLA is more than art – it’s an extension of the human experience.
I envision these artworks as Historical Documents, transcending mere decoration to capture the essence of our shared humanity. They hold stories, emotions, and experiences that deserve to be felt and understood.
Gallery Statement:
At Gemini Art Gallery, we are committed to using our space for education, dialogue, and artistic expression.
What fascinates me most about this exhibition is the title-ILA. It holds deep meaning as a statement of identification in West Africa – Raphael Akinnire
iLA EXHIBITION STATEMENT
What do you really know about Knowledge? and how does it translate to Art? Knowledge is not just what You know. It is who You are. It defines your options, not just intellectually, but in all respects. You can’t know something and then step back to be something completely different.
My ongoing works of Art are deeply inscribed with knowledge of history and my cultural heritage. My objective is to relay a visual map of the different ways in our culture that humans develop knowledge about themselves.
My aim as a Visual Artist is to effectively communicate these thoughts and ideas, portraying the experiences of Man as a product of the Society. These numerous and multifaceted Human Experience are in fact used as tools to inspire me to create.
Through raw realism, I intend to provoke emotions in You, the necessary catalyst to encourage a shift in the nature of ongoing conversations around the themes of beauty and facial/body markings.
SENSORY ‘I’
2024
53.34 cm x 76 cm (21 In x 30 In)
Charcoal and Pastel on Archival Paper
ARTIST STATEMENT (How do you define your style?)
My artistic style is a combination of an introspective conversation with myself and the world outside. I think of it as an exploration of my real-life experiences, intuition and intent, to search within myself for ideas that are true – this process is the fundamental ingredient needed to make the realization that I communicate through my works.
What makes this process more unique is the nuanced perspectives I get from my interactions with my muses. These conversations expose the social complexities around the supposed marks of beauty. These talks expands my understanding of the past and reimagines my vision of future works around how we see ourselves.
My technique presents itself as a meditative act and this practice is reflective of my personal life. Consequently, I have encountered Truth and Reality by searching inward. Truth and Reality are the foundational principles that guide my creative process. Realizing this made me a Hyperrealist
– FATOLA
GALLERY STATEMENT - iLÁ: The Art of Identity by Fatola (Presented at Gemini Arts Gallery)
In his latest exhibition, iLÀ , Israel Fatola delves into the rich tradition of tribal marks, using his signature hyper-realistic style to explore the profound cultural significance and personal identity embedded in these marks. iLÀ , a term meaning “tribal mark,” serves as a powerful symbol of heritage, belonging, and the enduring connection between the
individual and their community.
Fatola’s hyper-realistic paintings bring these often overlooked marks to life, capturing their intricate details with remarkable precision. Each piece is an exploration of the ways in which tribal marks—symbols of identity, status, and history—have been used across generations to communicate stories and connections that are both deeply personal and culturally universal. Through his works, Fatola honors this ancient practice, elevating the
tribal mark from a mere symbol to a profound expression of identity and cultural legacy.
In this exhibition, Fatola moves beyond the surface, inviting the viewer to engage with the emotional depth and cultural importance of these marks. The work challenges the viewer to reconsider how we define and express our identities in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing that these marks are not only physical but also spiritual, marking one’s place in a much larger narrative.
Hosted at Gemini Arts Gallery, iLÀ provides a space for reflection on how art, culture, and identity intersect. Fatola’s hyper-realism invites us to see these facial and body markings not just as art but as a vital form of storytelling—one that continues to shape the present while preserving the past.
– Raphael Akinnire (Director – Gemini Arts Gallery)
ARTIST STATEMENT (What do You want to express in your work?)
I sincerely hope the truth I discover through my Art (which I believe is endless) provides a valid commentary on our condition as humans.
Through Raw Realism, I intend to provoke emotions, the necessary catalyst to encourage a shift in the nature of ongoing culture-centric conversations towards more practical actions, thereby solving more problems in the world today – FATOLA
RESONANCE
2023-2024
101.5 cm x 132 cm
(40 In x 52 In)
Charcoal and Pastel on Archival Paper
RESONANCE: "A MASKED IDENTITY"
in this piece, beauty is represented as an abstract concept connecting heritage and identity.
The subtle facial marking is a symbolic language rather than a literal representation, inviting you to engage with the essence of the Yoruba culture beyond its physical manifestations.
This piece explores the conceptual interplay between groups, history and belief systems. My intention is to explore how these elements interweave to shape identity.
Contact
Lagos – Los Angeles – London
© 2025 Fatola Israel.
All Rights Reserved