Toyin Loye (Nigeria, 1959)
Each and every element in the work of Toyin Loye (Ijebu Jesa, Nigeria, 1959) has a specific significance. His cheerful animals and masked human figures are attributes of his culture. They are symbols of the Yoruba-tribe to which he belongs. The bird establishes the link between the physical and spiritual world. It is the messenger between both worlds and the carrier of fortune. The chameleon represents wealth. It can change colour whenever it likes, and is the object of prayer. The Gods are also present, such as Obatala, symbol of the Creation.
In his paintings Toyin Loye gives shape to his experiences, his life. He is a modern representative of the ancient African art tradition and a committed propagator of his cultural heritage. This is also reflected in his poetry, which is often integrated in his paintings.
Toyin Loye is the member of a royal family. His father was king. The artist grew up with traditional ceremonies and celebrations and was surrounded by artistic expressions, often intended to pay tribute to the ancestors.
| 1972-75 | Apprentice under a renowned street artist in Ibadan, Nigeria |
| 1981-83 | College of Arts & Science, Ile-Ife, Nigeria |
| 1983-87 | University of Ife, Nigeria |
| 1991-94 | Lived and traveled in Asia-Indonesia, Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia, IndiaJapan, Sri Lanka & Philippines |
| 1994-99 | Settled down in The Hague (The Netherlands). Married with two children. |
| Exhibitions: | |
| 1987 | National Theatre, Lagos |
| 1993 | Erasmushuis, Jakarta, Indonesia (solo) |
| Osaka Triennale, Osaka, Japan (painting) | |
| 1994 | Osaka Triennale, Osaka, Japan (print) |
| Galerie Chiefs & Spirits, The Hague | |
| 1995 | KunstRai, Amsterdam (solo) |
| Inkt Galerie, The Hague (solo) | |
| Line Art, (International Art Fair) Gent, Belgium (solo) | |
| Galerie Speijer & Vogtschmidts, Amsterdam (solo) | |
| 1996 | Gallery Annee, Haarlem (solo) |
| Holland Art Fair, The Hague (solo) | |
| Gallery Chiefs & Spirits, Brussels (solo) | |
| KunstRai, Amsterdam (solo) | |
| Jaski Art Gallery, Amsterdam | |
| Esprit Benelu, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels | |
| 1997 | Holland Art Fair, The Hague (solo) |
| KunstRai, Amsterdam (solo) | |
| Inkt, Delft (solo) | |
| SVB, Amstelveen (solo) | |
| Osaka Triennale, Osaka, Japan | |
| 1998 | Inkt Gallery, The Hague (solo) |
| KunstRai, Amsterdam | |
| Gallery Sonsbeek / Eusubio Kerk, Arnhem | |
| Reinart Gallery, Oss (solo) | |
| Tama Art University, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 1999 | Blackheath Gallery, London |
| KunstRai (International Art Fair) Amsterdam | |
| Kochi International Triennale, Kochi, Japan | |
| Commissions: | |
| NOVIB | |
| Reclamy, Amsterdam | |
| Amnesty International | |
| Van Gennep Publishers - omslag / book cover | |
| Sozaboy Ken Saro Wiwa 1997 | |
| Terre des Hommes | |
| World Wild Life Fund (WWF) | |
| Royal Nederland | |
| Collection: | |
| Museum of Contemporary Art, Osaka, Japan | |
| Queen Beatrix & HRH Prince Claus of the Netherlands | |
| HE Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations | |
Toyin Loye Galerie Chiefs & Spirits Prinsestraat 49, 2513 CB The Hague, The Netherlands Tel. +31 70 3658219 e-mail: tloye@worldonline.nl |