Exclusive Interview | Curator Elliott Ramsey on Tranquility of Communion
Exploring the Boundaries of Identity, Spirituality, and Representation in Rotimi Fani-Kayode’s Photography
On the evening of February 27, 2025, The Polygon Gallery hosted the grand opening of Tranquility of Communion, an exhibition celebrating the photography of Rotimi Fani-Kayode, a Nigerian-born British artist whose work has left an indelible mark on contemporary art.
Running from February 28 to May 30, 2025, the exhibition highlights Fani-Kayode’s unique visual language, which intertwines Yoruba cosmology, queer identity, and religious symbolism. Despite his brief life, his work broke through the rigid confines of race, gender, and identity, offering a new dimension to photographic expression.
At the opening event, North America Sequoia Media journalist Jason Zhang conducted an exclusive interview with The Polygon Gallery curator Elliott Ramsey, delving into the exhibition’s curatorial vision and its broader significance.
Exclusive Interview | Curator Elliott Ramsey on Tranquility of Communion
Jason Zhang: Elliott, thank you for speaking with North America Sequoia Media! Could you share the curatorial vision behind this exhibition?
Elliott Ramsey: Absolutely! Tranquility of Communion marks Fani-Kayode’s first retrospective in North America. It was co-curated with London’s Autograph Gallery and its curator Mark Sealy. His work is deeply symbolic and spiritual, drawing from Western classical painting, Yoruba culture, and queer aesthetics to challenge conventional notions of identity and belonging. This exhibition aims to help audiences understand the cultural and personal narratives embedded in his work.
Jason Zhang: Fani-Kayode’s photography fuses Yoruba cosmology, queer identity, and his experiences of cultural displacement. How does Tranquility of Communion highlight this fusion, and what insights do you hope visitors will gain about the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and diaspora in his work?
Elliott Ramsey: This exhibition is an exploration of Fani-Kayode’s ability to weave Yoruba spiritual traditions into his personal journey as a queer individual navigating cultural displacement. He invites us into a world we may not immediately recognize.
He was queer, yet raised in a deeply Christian and Yoruba traditional background, making his life a unique convergence of contrasting influences. However, he never saw this as a contradiction; rather, he approached it with an integrative perspective.
Through his art, Fani-Kayode creates space and possibilities, allowing viewers to step into his world and see the way he envisions identity and spirituality. It’s an exciting invitation to reimagine how personal and cultural narratives can coexist and evolve.
Jason Zhang: This exhibition includes archival works from Fani-Kayode’s student years that have never been publicly displayed before. How do these early works contribute to our understanding of his artistic evolution?
Elliott Ramsey: We’ve displayed several of Fani-Kayode’s earliest photographs, many of which have never been exhibited before. These works reveal his initial experimentation with form, composition, and thematic content.
Through these archival pieces, visitors can witness the early seeds of his artistic vision—his first forays into themes of identity, spirituality, and eroticism. They help us appreciate the evolution of his visual language, showing how his early explorations laid the foundation for his later, more refined and powerful works.
Jason Zhang: A central theme in this exhibition is challenging traditional norms. How does Tranquility of Communion reflect Fani-Kayode’s commitment to breaking conventional perceptions of race, sexuality, and representation in the art world?
Elliott Ramsey: Tranquility of Communion embodies Fani-Kayode’s fearless challenge to societal norms. His images often depict Black male subjects in intimate and sacred contexts, defying stereotypical portrayals and asserting a narrative of empowerment and complexity.
By presenting these subjects through a spiritual and symbolic lens, he disrupts Western artistic conventions and invites audiences to see identity beyond rigid categories. This exhibition is not just about artistic defiance—it encourages viewers to reflect on the fluidity of identity and the power of diverse representation in art.
Jason Zhang: Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to young artists who may find inspiration in this exhibition?
Elliott Ramsey: Fani-Kayode’s work serves as a powerful reminder for young artists to explore their heritage, personal experiences, and beliefs as fuel for creative expression. His legacy teaches us that art is not just about aesthetics—it’s about challenging societal constructs, fostering dialogue, and shaping new ways of seeing the world.
I hope this exhibition inspires young creatives to embrace their unique perspectives, push beyond conventional boundaries, and use art as a means to provoke thought, question norms, and expand the possibilities of self-expression.
An Immersive Experience | Exploring the Boundaries of Photography
The exhibition features 14 large-scale color photographs, presented in a way that immerses viewers in Fani-Kayode’s enigmatic world of identity and symbolism. The works depict young Black male figures interacting with natural elements, creating a transcendent, almost mystical visual experience.
His photography technique, which merges the dramatic lighting of classical European painting with Yoruba spiritual symbolism, is not only an artistic achievement but also a deeply personal meditation on self-identity and cultural hybridity. Through his work, visitors are invited to reflect on the intersections of cultural fusion and individual expression.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition Dates: February 28, 2025 – May 30, 2025
- Venue: The Polygon Gallery (101 Carrie Cates Ct, North Vancouver, BC)
- Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Thursdays open until 8:00 PM)
- Admission: Free
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