Popular performance poet, Akeem Lasisi, is set to hold an exhibition titled African Citations, as a means of “bringing something new into poetry.”
Lasisi said this in a recent statement, adding that the idea behind the exhibition is to explore more possibilities with poetry.
The multitalented artist of ‘Iremoje’, ‘Eleleture’ and ‘Udeme’ fame is staging the exhibition to honour accomplished personalities and institutions from different parts of Africa.
“Over the years, I have built a bank of poetic tributes inspired by different factors but largely based on the subjects’ contributions to the advancement of humanity. Many of the personalities do not know anyone has dedicated, while a few do. I just feel this is an opportunity to showcase them, celebrate the subjects and expand the frontiers of the poetic form,” the statement read.
The poet stated that African Citations has the potential to ignite twists, surprises and a continuation of what he has always tried to do with his performance and musical poetry.
Lasisi, who is also the Public Relations Officer at the First Technical University Ibadan added: “I have had encounters with many people and organisations in the course of my about 30 decades of my performance, journalism and teaching adventures. I have performed poetry at many events.
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“I have been commissioned to produce multimedia poetry while I have had cause to admire folks from a distance based on various factors. Some of these have been produced into musical poetry and videos. They have been on air, online etc. Now, the experimentation will berth in a gallery setting so that it becomes more total.”
A native of Ibadan, Oyo State, Lasisi studied Education/English at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife – after earning the National Certificate in Education (English/Yoruba) from the Oyo (now Osun) State College of Education, Ila-Orangun.
After teaching English language and literature for several years, he went into journalism, working with several media houses variously as a proofreader, reporter, staff writer, and an assistant editor.
Lasisi has won several prizes including the Association of Nigerian Authors/Cadbury Poetry Prize (twice) and the National Media Merit Awards.
