Enacting Echoes Exhibition by Iyunade Judah
Co-Production with Flash Photo Festival
OPENING celebration: MARCH 22 2025 6 – 9PM
EXHIBITION RUN: MARCH 22 – MAY 2 2025
EXHIBITION STATMENT
In Enacting Echoes, Iyunade delves into the realms of theatrical narratives and art forms, particularly painting, to explore the complex interplay between reality and fiction.
With his formal training in theatre and cinema studies, he is able draw upon the rich tapestry of theatrical storytelling weaving together captivating visual narratives that blur the lines between reality and illusion. Through meticulous composition and staging, they evoke a sense of drama and tension reminiscent of classic theater productions.
Influenced by the emotive power of painting, Iyunade explores the interplay of light, colour, and form to create evocative imagery that transcends the confines of the photographic medium. Each photograph becomes a tableau vivant, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the narrative unfolding before them.
Building upon Susan Sontag’s insights into the complex nature of photography, Iyunade challenges conventional notions of truth and representation. They embrace photography as a medium of subjective interpretation, embracing its capacity to evoke emotion and provoke thought.
Iyunade seeks to explore the intersection of pictorial art forms, creating a visual language that resonates with the viewer on a profound and visceral level. By infusing their work with theatricality and drawing from diverse artistic influences, they invite audiences to engage with photography as a dynamic and multi-faceted form of expression.
Artist bio
Judah Iyunade is an interdisciplinary artist based in Winnipeg, Canada. Drawing on his Nigerian heritage, his artistic practice explores history, identity, and love as a way of centring the African diasporic experience. His unique style regularly incorporates elements of West African studio photography and staging in his portraits often capturing vulnerable and intimate moments. In 2020, was one of the PLATFORM Photography Award winners. He has also exhibited nationally and internationally.
My artistic journey traverses the realms of image-making, video, and sound, delving into the nuanced intersections of history, identity, and love to center and illuminate the African diasporic experience.
In my practice, I draw inspiration from the vibrant traditions of West African studio photography and incorporate elements of staging to create portraits that transcend the ordinary. These compositions are a visual exploration of vulnerability and intimacy, capturing moments that invite viewers to connect with the depth of the human experience. Having been honoured as one of the PLATFORM Photography Award winners in 2020, my work has garnered recognition for its unique blend of cultural influences and contemporary perspectives. As an artist, I am driven by a profound desire to articulate the narratives of the African diaspora, weaving together threads of the past, present, and future. Through my creations, I aspire to foster a deeper understanding of our shared humanity, inviting viewers to embark on a visual journey that transcends borders and embraces the universality of our collective stories.
About aceartinc.: We are an artist-run centre dedicated to the support, exhibition, and dissemination of contemporary art. aceartinc. Presents five major exhibitions a year by contemporary visual artists. www.aceart.org
We are on Treaty 1 Territory. On the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We offer our respect and gratitude to the caretakers of this land.
