Ayo Akingbade's dual films at Chisenhale Gallery explore Nigeria's industrial and spiritual landscapes

Ayo Akingbade presents two new films at London's Chisenhale Gallery in an exhibition titled Show Me The World Mister, running through 5 February. The installation features a tall aluminum framework with translucent polycarbonate planks dividing the space, creating separate viewing areas. The Fist (2022) documents daily operations at a Guinness brewery in Ikeja, Nigeria, capturing workers' routines and industrial environments on 35mm film with fixed-camera compositions reminiscent of Bernd and Hilla Becher's industrial photography. Faluyi (2022) follows a teenage girl's spiritual journey through the Idanre Hills after her father's death, employing subjective cinematic techniques including slow motion and soft focus. While The Fist examines capitalist labor conditions through observational footage of machinery and workers in hi-vis jackets, Faluyi explores personal transformation through natural landscapes and spiritual encounters. Both films avoid definitive narratives, instead presenting mutable perspectives on Nigeria's physical and emotional landscapes. The exhibition continues Akingbade's exploration of emotional and sociopolitical relationships to place, building on previous London-focused works like Dear Babylon (2019) and Fire in My Belly (2021).