Oodles of doodles like noodles.
No Flatlines
Suffice to say that the unpredictable life of a medic affords little time for idle pursuits. The Hippocratic Oath requires doctors to treat all to the best of their ability, and to pass their knowledge willingly to the next generation. Indeed a heavy lifetime burden. These front liners, 1st respondents, casualty undertakers, life savers, feature in all aspects of our existence from birth to death, and with advances in cryogenics, possibly beyond. However, this article is not about their value or influence but how, (having significantly high suicide rates – 1 a day in the USA) do they cope with the day-to-day pressure of defeat, triumph and having to play god in borderline cases of life and death.
In Dr. Aderemi Desalu’s case he doodles. The tedium of the 5 week Lagos Lockdown produced these alluring yet quizzical images. His doodles are often prompted by the shapes, faces or beings he sees in unremarkable occurrences like a stained wall, clouds, taps or other normal incidents we chalk off as a non-sensory experience. This ability to visualise the unseen, attach alternative interpretations and facial forms to the ordinary is known as pareidolia. Hang on it’s not some weird gift or mental affliction, pareidolia is a normal neuroperceptual phenomenon common to many of us. However, in Dr. Desalu’s case it prompts him to create drawings of what he sees, that extend beyond what he sees.
His doodles begin with a single line and quickly become liquid, laden with symbols, color, convoluted as a bowl of spaghetti, and difficult to decipher where they start or finish. Curiously, they are ethnic in their feel and more pointedly afro-centric in composition. There is a playfulness of line and a willfulness in direction as Dr. Desalu proceeds to extract, fill, crown his creations. He is afterall a dentist. Reactions to these drawings vary. Some see them as nicely polished versions of Nigerian street art, others connect them to Piccaso the astute recipient of, and user of native art. Wherever you stand pleases this reluctant artist, as he believes no explanation or justification is required. It is what it is to whomsoever it may be. Interpretations apart, one thing is certain that unlike Michelangelo’s cartoons or doodles – the forethoughts of greater work, Dr. Desalu’s doodles are themselves the beginning and the end.
Dr. Desalu also writes – another pareidolia influenced pursuit. He has published and freely distributed his 1st 2 books to help re-orientate our youth. And that as they say, is a story for another day.
Unok Ukok
Profound, imaginative, colourful and visually pleasing.. the inter woven doodle lines show how interwoven human beings are..alone or as they relate to other human beings..ebb and flow of human life..great work
……to be understood through feeling, purely human feeling
Wooooow!!! Awesome work of art, where is the artist from???
Amazing!
Dr Remi Desalu is a friend and colleague. He is a multi-talented individual who has taken life by the scruff of the neck and making the most of his gifts. He is an inspiration as demonstrated by these works. They fit perfectly on my wall!
Amazing talent! A better artist and writer than a dentist. Glad to know you have not lost your touch and done one better by passing on the skill to Debayo your son.
These are beautiful expressions of art by a great mind. You can see the intricate details of his work like that of a surgeon. Well done Dr Desalu.
I love the abstract yet obviously African and uniquely Nigerian nature of Dr Desalu’s work. He has an amazing talent and these pieces will bring a positive energy into any space .
Wow! Lovely, this is very creative.