A compelling charcoal and ink drawings exhibition at Omenka Gallery delves into the unseen forces that shape selfhood.
Ijinle Ara, Inward Outward, 2024. Charcoal and ink on paper, 83 x 60cm. Courtesy of the artist and Omenka Gallery.
Omenka Gallery will present ‘Ijinle Ara | The Depth of Self,’ a solo exhibition by UK-based Nigerian artist Abraham Babajide Cole. This striking collection of charcoal and ink drawings explores identity, spirituality, and the search for self beyond the visible surface.
Inspired by Yoruba philosophy, which suggests that existence extends beyond the physical realm, Cole’s work challenges viewers to look deeper—beyond mere reflections—into the intangible essence of selfhood. Who are we beneath the shifting masks of time, place, and experience in an ever-evolving world?
‘Ijinle Ara’ delves into the unseen forces that shape us, the ancestral echoes that linger within, and the silent truths revealed only by the mirror of the soul. Through abstraction, masks, and fragmented forms, Cole’s figures emerge from shadow and light, reflecting identity’s fluid and multifaceted nature. The exhibition invites introspection, urging us to embrace our spiritual depth and acknowledge that we are the sum of all we carry.
Abraham Babajide Cole is a UK-based Nigerian artist whose practice spans painting, drawing, illustration, and digital design. His work is deeply rooted in themes of migration, identity, and spirituality. He draws inspiration from nature, antiques, and the interplay of multiple visual forms to examine the complexities of selfhood and human experience.
In October 2022, he staged his debut solo exhibition, ‘Deep Introspection,’ at ArtRooms Gallery, Birmingham, UK. In 2024, he contributed to the Mayor of London’s ‘Untold Stories Project,’ collaborating with The Culture Tree and Southwark City Council to create a monumental public art installation in Peckham, celebrating Yoruba heritage and identity.
His work has been showcased internationally, including at the ‘Suns of Egypt’ exhibition in Athens, Greece, in April 2024, where he presented a series of 12 drawings inspired by biblical and Quranic narratives, expanding his exploration of migration and portraiture.
A Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria graduate, Cole has worked as an art director across communication agencies and cultural spaces in Nigeria. His current body of work, ‘Ijinle Ara’ (The Depth of Self), continues his interrogation of identity and spiritual introspection. Using charcoal and ink, he explores self-perception beyond the physical through mirrors, memory, and the unseen forces that shape our existence.
The exhibition will be on view from March 18th until April 1st, 2025. For more information, please visit Omenka Gallery.
