flare

In his collage Flare, Aliyu contends that the politics of oil and religion are crucial factors attributing to the Nigeria-Biafra war. This painting is included in the Legacies of Biafra touring exhibition which was displayed at Brunei Gallery London (January to March 2018) and Gallery Oldham (October 2021 to February 2022). 

“Flare depicts the blaze of crude oil or natural gas, providing both a striking and troubling image. On closer inspection, Aliyu has included symbols of Islam and Christianity, creating a conceptual link with the volatility of the fires that burn in the Niger Delta with the volatility of overzealous forms of religion in the nation. In contemporary Nigeria where organised religion can also double up as a form income generation, Aliyu seems to be drawing parallels with the corruption within the ruling class vis-à-vis the misappropriation of oil money to that of religious leaders who prey on their congregation” Dr. Louisa Egbunike, Curator, Legacies of Biafra, 2017