Kayode Ojo at Martos Gallery

Artist: Kayode Ojo

Exhibition title: Equilibrium

Venue: Martos Gallery, New York, US

Date: November 2 – December 22, 2018

Photography: images copyright and courtesy of the artist and Martos Gallery, New York

“Equilibrium” is a balance between opposing forces, a calm state of mind, a movie featuring Christian Bale and Taye Diggs, and the title of Kayode Ojo’s first solo exhibition with Martos Gallery. While attempting to create “balance,” Ojo accesses the dark and light moments of glamour and excess by sourcing conventional objects and playing with the cinematic. He combines mass produced items and pop culture to mine ideas of physical beauty while also considering the objectification of bodies. Ojo creates ephemeral scenes that prop themselves up on elusive ideas and shifting values, both monetary and moral, and mask something that lies underneath.

For Equilibrium, Ojo has sparsely covered the gallery with intimate moments of self-reflection: a scent that recalls a sweet and sore memory; a near death experience captured on film; a narrated video — like something out of a PBS antique show — that transforms a body into internalized patterns of self-doubt. Ojo sources and lists all materials used to shape these moments and in doing so expresses the servitude of “the object,” and creates a sense of honesty and false neutrality.

There is something slightly perverse in these efforts to superficially remove bias. The presence of personal narrative in both a self-portrait and straight razor allows for one to form their own meaning without ever being fully rid of the artists’ personal method of documenting. Bodies posing in photographs become sculptural objects — perhaps less elusive — and the human body is just as palpable here as in a pair of sparkling earrings left on a table; the visible and the forgotten.

When we attempt to regulate emotions, balance may seemingly be achieved, only because the unbalanced is regularly masked. It often feels forbidden to express true and honest emotions, and cloaking or drugging states of consciousness are encouraged, to keep up with accepted social norms. Ojo manages to both display and mask mental and bodily anxiety with something intimate and shared, sharp and blunt.

Equilibrium features new sculptures, photographs and video, and is on view through December 22, 2018.

Kayode Ojo (b. 1990 in Cookeville, TN) received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts and is currently living and working in New York. Selected exhibitions include Inventors at the Apocalypse, curated by Jake McNulty, Institut fur Alles Mögliche, Berlin, DE; Natural Flavor, curated by Vivien Trommer, Mini/Goethe-Institut Curatorial Residencies Ludlow, New York, NY; Ormai, Galerie Balice Hertling, Paris, FR; Running on Empty, And Now, Dallas, TX; Closer, Sweetwater, Berlin, DE; and Invisible Man, Martos Gallery, New York, NY. Kayode Ojo is represented by Martos Gallery, New York.

Kayode Ojo, Equilibrium, 2018, exhibition view, Martos Gallery, New York

Kayode Ojo, House Call, 2018, Wheeled Serving Cart with Finials Chrome and Clear, Mathieu Rectal Speculum OB/GYN Medical G.S Instruments, Vermont Lanterns Brass Mini XL 7″ – Small Oil Lamp (Nickel Chrome), Parker 99R Safety Razor Shave Set – Includes Premium Black Badger Brush, Stainless Steel Stand & Parker 99R Butterfly Open Safety Razor, 32 × 19 1/2 × 33 inches (81.28 × 49.53 × 83.82 cm)

Kayode Ojo, A Straight Razor in the First Act (Chrome Brown Marble), 2018, Polaris Clock Black & Gold Marble, Classic Samurai CS-102 Stainless Steel Professional Barber Straight Edge Razor, Colbi Glass-Topped C-Table – Holly & Martin, 32 × 12 × 16 inches (81.28 × 30.48 × 40.64 cm)

Kayode Ojo, Samson (Wild Aoud), 2018, Montale Eau de Parfum Spray, Newness Focus On Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears, Mirrored Pyramid Living Room Accent Side/End Table, Jane Stone Hot Sexy Simple Unibody Bilayer Silver Color Tassels Body Chain Necklace Fashion Statement Jewelry New Body Necklace(Fn1095-Silver), 28 × 13 1/4 × 13 1/4 inches (71.12 × 33.66 × 33.66 cm)

Kayode Ojo, Echo (Cartier Love Silver), 2018, Men Women Steel Fashion Love Screwdriver Bangle Bracelet Gift US, Chrome Caliper Stand, Acme Furniture Acme 81822 Laina Side Table, Mirror & Chrome, 32 × 11 1/2 × 15 1/2 inches (81.28 × 29.21 × 39.37 cm)

Kayode Ojo, I’m Fine, 2018, Zikimed 50 Ml Revolver Syringes, Glass Barrel, Luer Lock (Animal Only), Master Series Ultimate Male Lockdown Chastity System, Howard Elliott 11184 Mirrored Pedestal Table, 33 × 12 × 12 inches (83.82 × 30.48 × 30.48 cm)

Kayode Ojo, A Very Unusual but Very Elegant Gesture, 2018, Da-Lite Silver Pacer Projection Screens On Tripods video, color, sound, TRT 00:56, Dimensions variable

Kayode Ojo, Closed Audition: Boohoo Plus Verity Slinky Plunge Split Maxi Dress, 2018, C-print mounted on museum board, 39 7/8 × 27 7/8 inches (101.28 × 70.80 cm), 43 7/8 × 31 7/8 × 1.8125 inches (111.44 × 80.96 × 4.60 cm) (framed)

Kayode Ojo, Closed Audition: Balenciaga Bootcut, 2018, C-print mounted on museum board, 39 7/8 × 26 3/8 inches (101.28 × 66.99 cm), 43 7/8 × 30 3/8 × 1.8125 inches (111.44 × 77.15 × 4.60 cm) (framed)

Kayode Ojo, Scorched Bedroom, Paris (Cartier), 2018, C-print mounted on museum board, 39 7/8 × 26 3/8 inches (101.28 × 66.99 cm), 43 7/8 × 30 3/8 × 1.8125 inches (111.44 × 77.15 × 4.60 cm) (framed)

Kayode Ojo, Silver (Belgium), 2018, C-print mounted on museum board, 39 7/8 × 26 3/8 inches (101.28 × 66.99 cm), 43 7/8 × 30 3/8 × 1.8125 inches (111.44 × 77.15 × 4.60 cm) (framed)

Kayode Ojo, Reaching Out (UK), 2018, C-print mounted on museum board, 26 3/8 × 39 7/8 inches (66.99 × 101.28 cm), 30 3/8 × 43 7/8 × 1.8125 inches (77.15 × 111.44 × 4.60 cm) (framed)

Kayode Ojo, Undressed (The Four Seasons, Seagram), 2018, K’ryssma Long Natural Straight Brown Lace Front Wig Half Hand Tied Realistic Looking Glueless Synthetic Wigs for Women 24 inches, Topwholesalejewel Bridal Long 5 Strands Silver Crystal Earrings, DAY.LIN Jewelry Ladies Body Chain Women Nightclub Party Body Chain Jewelry Bikini Waist Gold Belly Beach Harness (Silver), H&M Size 12 14 20s Flapper Gatsby Deco Fringe Tassel Gold Dress, Hamilton Stands KB400 Classic American Folding Sheet Music Stand (Chrome), 55 1/4 × 20 1/2 × 18 inches (140.34 × 52.07 × 45.72 cm)