Jé-ká-mi, is a collective exhibition that response to the comment of the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who said in a press conference urged that the poor are allowed to breathe and should not be suffocated but allowed live, calling on all Nigerians to see it as a collective responsibility but this was negated by his inaugural speech in which he immediately announced the removal subsidy on Petrol. This sent a shock and panic down the spine of many Nigerian and the ripple effect of this is felt in several facet of the economy affecting daily means of livelihood. The exhibition incorporates sound, photography, mixed media and installation in an interactive atmosphere to highlight the current happenings in Nigeria.
In this exhibition, electricity bills, an improvised fuel dispenser, gallons and an old electricity meter are visible materials that immediately bring to mind the economic and social situations in the nation. The Nigerian government recently removed the subsidisation of fuel and it resulted in the inflation of basic commodities such as food, fuel, electricity, transportation and other daily needs. While the prices of things are rapidly changing, salaries and wages remain stagnant, leaving citizens in the hands of untold hardship and economic upheaval. How are the people navigating this situation? Is the government listening to their cries and complaints?
Photographs of everyday life and activities vis-a-vis the effect of inflation on both the emotional and physical state of citizens are also explored in this exhibition as a reflective, provocative and contemplative springboard. Installed in four parts Jé-ká-mí through Notice Board – (Photographs of everyday life in Lagos), Family portrait – (made with gallons of varying of sizes,ropes and spray paint), Voices – (made with gallons cut in half pasted on with newspaper cutout and paints) and Up NEPA – (made with Old electricity meters and electricity bills) all coalease to seeks to highlight agitation of the Nigerian citizens and aims to foster a dialogue on plight and hunger for succour in these trying times.
- Installation shot Family portrait by Tobi Adebule JEKAMI (LET US BREATHE) exhibition, Galari, Lagos, 17th September, 2023. Photo by Peter Okotor
- Installation shot Notice board by Tobi Adebule JEKAMI (LET US BREATHE) exhibition, Galari, Lagos, 17th September, 2023. Photo by Peter Okotor
- Installation shot Voices Tumininu Gbebire JEKAMI (LET US BREATHE) exhibition, Galari, Lagos, 17th September, 2023. Photo by Peter Okotor
- Installation shot Up NEPA in JEKAMI (LET US BREATHE) exhibition, Galari, Lagos, 17th September, 2023. Photo by Peter Okotor
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