When I stepped into Gallery 7, the first thing I thought was“wow”.
Now, I’m no art expert so I can’t tell you about the tones, textures, and compositions that filled the space. What I can tell you, however, is how art appeals to my sensibilities. Because I enjoy being around art so much, I have visited a number of art galleries and, every single time, I leave stunned by the sheer brilliance of the artists’ minds. I can barely draw a straight line myself, so it’s quite difficult for me to grasp how a person conceives an idea, conceptualizes it, and brings it to life – exactly as they envisioned.
Micheal Kpodoh is no stranger to the art scene. Having come to the realization early on that he wanted to pursue art as a career, a lot of his choices were reflective of this desire; from actively sketching throughout his primary school days, to shadowing older artists, and eventually enrolling as an art major at the prestigious School of Art and Design, Auchi. Now, fast forward to almost 46 years later, the Bayelsan artist is the creator of works of art which find themselves in exhibitions like Imagio Mundi’s “Map of the New Art”’ – an exhibition that showcases works from 40 other nations.
Gallery 7 is a private gallery featuring contemporary art created by Micheal Kpodoh. The gallery, which doubles as a workspace at the top floor, and exhibition room at the bottom floor, is located at Walter Anga Avenue, Chosen Estate, off East West Road – a serene environment in the heart of Port Harcourt. The pieces in Gallery 7 are carefully curated as they feature some of the artist’s earliest works, his works through the years, and several of his more recent works. Some of these pieces include “Undefeated” (a piece about resilience), “Flower Girl”, “Birds Do Talk” (a series), “Royalty”, and a host of others.
When asked what his vision was for the gallery, Kpodoh explains that Gallery 7 is essentially a space where lovers of his work can view and connect with his art. He talks about the importance of building a connection with his audience and explains that these connections are easier to establish when your audience is a part of your process.
Entry into the gallery is free at the moment, although I do believe that prior appointments have to be made to schedule visits. All in all, my visit to gallery 7 was equal parts relaxing, insightful, and entertaining. I got to speak to the artist and, as he gave me the grand tour of the space, we discussed his journey so far, his specific challenges with the commercial aspect of his job, his artistic process, and his plans for the future.
If you’re an aesthete in search of an artist whose work is somber, folksy, and yet stimulating, you should visit Gallery 7.
Photos by Aleruchi Kinika
