Written by Gabrielle Chastenet
‘Imprint: Past as Prologue,’ an exhibition by Masud Olufani, examines the culture, history, and beliefs of different communities through the artistic integration of sculpture, material, and sound.
The exhibition was held in SCAD Museum of Art, August 16-October 16, 2016 in the Emerging Artist Gallery. The SCAD Museum also held a public conversation and reception on September 29, 2016.
Olufani is a SCAD alumnus graduating in 2013 with an M.F.A. in sculpture. His pieces delve into the subjects of social stratification, economic destabilization, racism, motions of memory, and spiritual transcendence. He says these subjects inspire him, as well as “the use of unconventional materials.”
His pieces include ‘Chorus of Memory,’ a canvas of modeled faces with an oral lineage told through recordings of different individuals. A piece called ‘To Gut,’ which stands out right away, is a small wooden house with a two-man saw cutting it down the middle, with a small amount of the frame burnt down.
Although he looks up to many artists, Olufani is especially moved by the work of artist Leonardo Drew. Drew also uses unconventional materials in his art.
Olufani’s background greatly influences his work. “It [my background] is part of who I am. It finds it’s expression in issues, in the subject matter that the work deals with. The look of the work as well, using discarded materials things that a lot of people overlook. Taking those and re-contextualizing and making art out of them.”
The SCAD alumnus had many insights into the artists’ world, his advice for SCAD students is to “stay the course.”
