Wanderlust is not merely a collection of photographs; it is a passage into the unseen, a meditation on longing, solitude, and the landscapes that exist within us. Amaremo Elaebi’s lens does not just capture places—it captures emotions, ephemeral moments where light and shadow whisper stories untold. Through silhouettes suspended against vast skies, figures dissolving into the unknown, and compositions that balance absence with presence, this exhibition invites viewers to drift beyond the physical into the realm of memory and imagination.
Each image in Wanderlust serves as a doorway, leading us into the stillness of introspection. It is about the places we ache for, the ones we have never been to but somehow know, the feeling of being untethered yet deeply present. Through delicate contrasts, quiet compositions, and an evocative play of form and emptiness, Elaebi weaves together a journey beyond borders—a voyage into the poetry of the unseen.
There is a distinct weightlessness to this body of work, a sense of figures dissolving into time, of spaces that hold their own quiet mysteries. The presence of silhouettes suggests the universal experience of longing, the search for something just beyond reach. Through careful framing, Elaebi draws the eye to what is left unsaid, allowing emptiness and negative space to speak as powerfully as form and subject.
Artist Statement
"Photography, to me, is more than capturing what is seen—it's about revealing what is felt. Wanderlust is a reflection of the places my mind has traveled, a collection of fleeting moments that exist somewhere between memory and imagination. Each image is a portal into an untethered world, where emotions take shape in light, silhouettes, and contrasts.
This body of work is deeply personal yet universally human. It speaks to longing, to stillness, to the way our thoughts drift beyond physical boundaries. The skies stretch vast, the figures exist in quiet motion, and the smallest details become anchors to a dreamlike reality. I seek to translate the intangible—the feeling of nostalgia, the weightlessness of solitude, the quiet pull of the unknown—into something visible, something felt.
With Wanderlust, I invite you to explore not just the landscapes before you, but the ones within."
- Amaremo Elaebi
Curator Statement
“Wanderlust embraces the tension between stillness and movement, presence and absence. These works resonate with the soul’s innate desire to explore—whether through the world around us or the infinite landscapes of our own minds.”
"Itan" translates to "story" or "history" in Yoruba. Yoruba people are one of the largest and most culturally significant ethnic groups in West Africa. Yoruba culture is known for its vibrant and expressive arts, including sculpture, textiles, music, dance, and storytelling. Yoruba art has a strong emphasis on symbolism and spirituality and has influenced the broader African art world. Itan Foundation World isn’t just about displaying art, but also about telling the stories and histories of West African artists, their cultures and their creative journeys. Each artwork is selected for its ability to evoke a sense of storytelling and exploration.