To have & to be

To have & to be

To Have & To Be Catalogue

12 April – 03 May 2025

Exhibited Artists

To Have & To Be Catalogue

Eno Young | Joe Abdallah | Idara Tom Paschal Ugwu | Chidinma Yemsi Mordi | Cletus Oche

BoConcept Abuja, Nigeria.

E-Catalogue

Overview

The exhibition “To Have and To Be” is an art meets design exhibition that shows a vibrant collection of paintings across diverse mediums, inviting a multifaceted exploration of identity and existence. This reorients the dialogue, suggesting that our belongings shape our identities while also questioning what it truly means to exist in a world defined by consumption.

The title, “To Have and To Be” encapsulates the duality inherent in our lives. “To Have” signifies the physical and emotional possessions that shape our identities, while “To Be” reflects our essence, our thoughts, and our connections with the world. This tension invites viewers to consider how materiality influences our experiences and vice versa while serving as a philosophical anchor, prompting a reflection on the ways in which our sense of self is intertwined with the things we own and the lives we lead.

Featuring works from the diverse group of artists – Eno Young, Joe Abdallah, Idara Tom, Cletus Oche, Paschal Ugwu and Chidinma Yemisi Mordi, this exhibition encompasses a range of styles and techniques—from traditional charcoal paintings to experimental mixed media. Each artist brings a unique perspective, exploring themes of memory, belonging, and the ephemeral nature of existence. The varied mediums not only demonstrate versatility but also reinforce the exhibition’s central theme, encouraging dialogue between the artworks.

“To Have and To Be” serves as a platform for reflection and dialogue, challenging viewers to consider the interplay between ownership and existence. We hope this exhibition inspires personal introspection and fosters a greater understanding of the complexities that define our identities in a material world.

We invite visitors to engage deeply with the artworks, reflecting on their own relationships with possessions and their sense of self.

Artworks

An abstract painting featuring vibrant shades of orange and green, depicting a tree-like structure at the center with wavy lines resembling roots and a textured background.
A desert landscape featuring dry, cracked earth, scattered rocks, and barren trees against a backdrop of orange mountains and a blue sky.
A vibrant blue flower stands out prominently against a dark, lush forest background, with hints of light and greenery surrounding it.
A serene landscape painting depicting a calm river surrounded by lush greenery and blooming pink lotus flowers, leading to a distant horizon under a soft sky.
A vibrant landscape painting featuring a large orange sun setting against a red sky, above a green field with stylized, wavy lines. The field is adorned with white flowers and clusters of red berries, creating a colorful and dynamic composition.
An abstract artwork featuring an orange background with a central white frame. The frame is decorated with intricate patterns and features splashes of color that create a dynamic visual effect.
A vibrant artwork featuring two women in traditional attire, one in a blue dress and the other in a red dress, each framed within a rectangular border. They wear white head wraps and large earrings, set against a shimmering gold background with decorative floral patterns.
Artistic representation featuring two silhouetted heads adorned with intricate hairstyles, surrounded by vibrant flowers and a blue sky. A white bird is flying above a golden sun.
Silhouette of a woman wearing a blue headwrap and blue patterned clothing, surrounded by vibrant floral motifs and gold circular designs.
Close-up of a butterfly's wings with orange and black patterns, set against a colorful background featuring floral designs and swirling patterns.
An abstract artwork featuring two orange butterfly wings against a textured golden background, with stylized floral patterns in purple and green.
An artistic portrait of a woman with a dark silhouette, adorned with red accessories and large earrings, set against a textured golden background featuring floral patterns and vibrant colors.
A silhouette of a woman with curly hair, wearing a colorful tank top and a beaded necklace, poses confidently with one hand on her head. In the background, stylized birds fly against a patterned backdrop featuring gold flowers and vibrant colors.
A portrait of a woman with a crown above her head, surrounded by hands and flowers, depicting strength and beauty.
A woman with an elaborate hairstyle and adorned with jewelry, holding a tambourine in one hand and a bouquet of yellow roses in the other, dressed in a patterned fabric. The background features swirling designs.
A woman holding a child with chains wrapped around her arms, set against a swirling background. The woman has a determined expression and is adorned with golden circular motifs above her head, symbolizing strength and resilience.
A monochromatic artwork featuring a serene figure with closed eyes, surrounded by intricate foliage and birds, with vibrant golden elements swirling around their head.
A monochrome portrait of a young woman with closed eyes, depicting ethereal smoke or flames rising from her head, creating a surreal atmosphere.
A serene woman with braided hair, holding a candle and a bouquet of roses, surrounded by swirling smoke and a decorative halo in gold, depicted in a monochromatic style.
A powerful figure stands atop a globe, symbolizing strength and resilience. The figure, with blindfolded eyes and wings, holds a sword in one hand and is bound by chains, representing liberation. The artwork is created in monochrome, highlighting the intricate details of the clothing and the globe's continents.
A detailed black and white illustration of a woman adorned with floral elements in her hair, ethnic jewelry, and intricate patterns on her clothing, surrounded by swirling smoke and flowers.
A detailed black and white sketch of a figure adorned with flowers, wearing traditional clothing and holding a small object in their hands. The background features swirling patterns and roses, enhancing the mystical atmosphere.
A young girl with curly hair gazes upward, reaching towards a glowing beach ball surrounded by ethereal fish and roses, depicted in a detailed black and white illustration.
A woman in a blue and white dress kneels beside a small child in a matching outfit, both engaged in a warm interaction inside a brightly colored room. The background features pottery and decorative items on shelves, blue and white patterned curtains, and a plant.
A silhouette of a woman wearing a pink head wrap and a pink dress, adorned with a large necklace, set against a soft gradient background with abstract human silhouettes.
An abstract painting featuring two hands holding a purple envelope with golden details, set against a purple background with shadowy silhouettes of heads.
A portrait of a woman with a thoughtful expression, wearing a yellow and black striped shirt and a pink head wrap, resting her chin on her hand. She sits beside a black dog with yellow eyes, against a backdrop of green foliage and textured walls.
A silhouette of a woman in profile, dressed in a dark outfit with a patterned texture. She wears a purple head wrap and earrings, sitting beside lush green foliage and a stylized tree against a vibrant orange background.
A seated figure with dark skin and long, colorful hair, wearing a blue patterned outfit, holding flowers. The background features an orange circle and green foliage, with a small white dog peeking from behind bushes.
A portrait of a young Black woman holding a large red bag with the phrase 'MANY MILES TO GO' written on it, set against a backdrop of vibrant green plants and a window frame.
A woman sitting on a wooden ladder, wearing a purple dress and a purple sweater, amidst lush green plants. The background features a textured wall with an arched opening revealing warm colors.
A painted scene featuring a woman sitting amidst lush greenery, with flowing hair and draped in a purple garment. Behind her, there is an archway revealing vibrant orange and red hues, suggesting warmth or fire. The surrounding foliage is detailed with various shades of green and white flowers.
A person sitting on the floor, reading a book, dressed in a white tank top and colorful striped pants, with a warm, minimalistic background and a window letting in light.
A colorful painting depicting a character with a long neck, large expressive eyes, and dark hair peeking through a window frame.
A stylized portrait of a person with an elongated neck and large eyes, wearing a white shirt, peering through a green window with closed shutters, set against a blue background.
A stylized portrait of a young person with large eyes and a serene expression, looking out from behind a window with wooden shutters. The figure has a dark brown skin tone and short blue hair.
A stylized portrait of a person with large eyes and expressive features seen through a window with wooden shutters. The background is teal, and the person has a warm-toned skin tone.