Play On Classicism

Danijel Osundaro is a young Nigerian artist who plays with existing perspectives and knowledge to create new readings of art. He combines elements of change with knowledge from the history of society and art to provide new perspectives on values, emotions, identity and culture. His experimental approach to the creative process stems from his experience with different media such as graphics, graffiti and sculpture. Osundaro’s paintings resemble blueprints, adapting the old to the new and reminding us of the lavishness of classical art, but infusing them with diversity by combining contemporary and classical on one canvas. He uses the Mandela effect in his paintings to balance the composition and create a unique visual narrative. By incorporating elements of the Mandela effect into his paintings, he motivates the viewer to question the perception of reality and realize a changed sense of reality.
Osundaro’s “Pals” sculptures represent the unique signature of the artist and also appear on his canvases. He derives elements in 2D and 3D space, including them in different models of perception of time and space. Rows of identical sculptures refer to a community beyond physical boundaries, while repetitive series of colorful sculptures contain the elements of all communities and cultures.
Overall, Osundaro’s work is a reflection of his personal identity, shaped by the events that have shaped his life and perception of reality. The deconstructed Eurocentric orientation has opened up space and time in which Osundaro inserts his artworks, integrating them into systems of new perspectives on values, emotions, identity and culture. His work is captivating, visually and mentally stimulating, and encourages viewers to question their perceptions of reality.

Daniel Oshundaro (1997) is a Nigerian painter, sculptor and photographer. He completed his bachelor’s studies in creative arts at the University of Lagos in Nigeria, and at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Novi Sad, where upon completion of his studies he received an honorary award from both universities. He is the holder of a BEA scholarship that enables him to continue his artistic development. He exhibited in Affinity Art Gallery (Lagos, Nigeria), Afikaris Gallery, (Paris, France), Art3f (Brussels, Belgium), FESTIVAL NS22 (Novi Sad, Serbia).

New models of intercultural exchange have opened up space for re- interpreting existing views on the relationship between man and art. In this context, Danijel Osundaro plays with existing perspectives and knowledge. Change is a concept that describes the process of transformation from one state to another. Change can refer to physical transformation, such as the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, or it can refer to social and political transformations, such as the abolition of slavery. Change can also refer to the evolution of thoughts and ideas, as in the development of new technologies or philosophies. Change can be seen as positive or negative, depending on the context and perspective of the individual. By combining such elements of change with knowledge from the history of society and art, Oshundaro provides new readings. The scenes he paints look like blueprints, with a composition that adapts the old to the new. With these paintings, Oshundaro reminds us of the lavishness of classical art, but infuses them with diversity by combining contemporary and classical on one canvas. In his work, the young Nigerian painter rebuilds the context through the events that shaped his life. His experimental approach to the creative process stems from his experience with different media such as graphics, graffiti and sculpture. “Pals” are sculptures that represent the unique signature of the artist, and also appear on his canvases. He derives elements in 2D and 3D space, including them in different models of perception of time and space. Rows of identical sculptures refer to a community beyond physical boundaries. Repetitive series of colorful sculptures contain the elements of all communities and cultures and are connected by factors such as shape and color. The Mandela effect is a phenomenon in which many people remember events or details differently than they happened and is often used to false memories or misremembered facts. Oshundaro uses the Mandela Effect in his paintings to balance the composition and create a unique visual narrative. He often uses bright colors and distorted shapes to create a surreal landscape. He incorporates it’s elements into his artwork, bringing a sense of mystery and intrigue. Daniel often uses this phenomenon in his research on memory and identity. By incorporating elements of the Mandela effect into his paintings, he motivates the viewer to question the perception of reality and realize a changed sense of reality. Daniel’s application of this effect allows him to create a unique and captivating visual narrative that visually and mentally stimulates the viewer. Using this phenomenon, he explores the variable nature of truth, memory and identity while allowing viewers to explore his unique perspective. The feeling of personal identity is based on the observation of self-identity and continuity of existence in time and space, as well as the observation of the fact that other people notice and acknowledge that fact. An individual who has acquired a sense of personal identity has an experience of continuity between what he was once, what he is today and what he will be one day. The deconstructed Eurocentric orientation has opened the space and time in which Osundaro inserts his artworks, integrating them into systems of new perspectives on values, emotions, identity and culture.

Brajan Vojinović