The Mennonite Heritage Centre has had another successful opening night, this time showcasing the work Yisa Akinbolaji and Gabriela Agüero.

As always the newest MHC gallery exhibit blew everyone away at the opening of Who Is In and Who Is Out. Even the Gallery director, Ray Dirks commented, "I expected good, powerful art but 
even what I expected is surpassed."

This exciting show features a fellow artist and longtime friend of Dirks, Yisa Akinbolaji. The two exhibited their artwork together at the opening of the MHC gallery a few years ago, that was also Akinbolaji first opportunity to exhibit in Canada.

Now Akinbolaji is back with his second showing at the gallery from May 3 - June 22.

Yisa Akinbolaji, a painter from Nigeria who immigrated to Canada in 1997 and became immersed in Winnipeg's Art culture. Deciding to leave Nigeria in the wake of the government in power there to come to Canada Akinbolaji quickly became, "really busy within the artistic community."

The artist first came on an Educational Sabbatical but soon became the President of the Manitoba Society of Artist and decided to stay more permanently.

"The Show has two components," says Akinbolaji.

The first is "Celebrating the advancement of my innovative technique . . . It is a complete new language that I developed."

This special technique distinguishes Akinbolaji and sets his work apart. Akinbolaji applies and removes layers and elements of his paintings to create a layered, collage-like effect.

The other component of the show is about Immigration and is a call to action.

Who Is In and Who Is Out, speaks to "what is happening in this society, the less privileged, the immigrant population and their contribution," says Akinbolaji.

Akinbolaji added that "It is also to encourage immigrants who are just coming to Canada to realize that Canada has welcomed them to contribute."

Akinbolaji has become known in the art community worldwide but this has come with some challenges for the artist.

Over 20 pieces of the artist's works, as well as his Akinbolaji's artist statements, were recently plagiarised by an artist in Africa.

This has caused frustration and confusion for Akinbolaji as the works were being shown in a gallery in Africa under another name. However, it is especially worrying as this artist has an original and influential technique that has been crafted and perfected by Akinbolaji himself.

If you are interested in seeing the original pieces by Akinbolaji the Mennonite Heritage Center gallery will be showing his work until June 22, 2019.