In her powerful debut solo exhibition, London-based multidisciplinary artist Betty Ogun offers a profound exploration of Black womanhood that is at once celebratory and confrontational. Titled LOVE/FIGHT, the show presents a collection of new and recent works that delve into the intersecting themes of militant femininity, resilience, and the intricate dance between strength and struggle. Hosted by Tache, Fitzrovia’s new contemporary art gallery, the exhibition marks the arrival of a significant new voice in the art world.
Ogun’s practice operates at the compelling intersection of documentary and abstraction. Her large-scale paintings, photography, textiles, and video works are characterized by vibrant, expressive color palettes and rich, evocative textures. She draws from cultural, collective, and personal histories to question how they shape contemporary life.
This approach is vividly captured in the diptych Enjoy and Cheerleader. Here, Ogun dismantles the familiar trope of the cheerleader, imbuing it with intellectual depth and cultural critique. The figures, rendered in bold, gestural brushstrokes, are fragmented into layers of celebration and tension. The artist abstracts and distorts the symbols of youthful exuberance—pompoms, uniforms, choreographed poses—into darker motifs, challenging viewers to look beyond the surface and consider the complex narratives of gender, labor, and representation at play.
Other highlights include the Fight series, a collection of paintings meditating on survival and endurance. Works like Thinking and Mother and Baby Unit are poignant celebrations of motherhood, acknowledging it as a uniquely difficult and life-altering experience. Across her textile pieces, a repeated checkerboard motif appears, symbolizing her belief that life, much like a game of chess, requires tactical and calculated decisions.
“This solo exhibition stands as a manifesto of everything my work embodies—resilience, emotional expression, and a life lived expeditiously,” Ogun states. “Through this show, I aim to illuminate often-overlooked narratives and invite reflection on how documenting adversity and conflict through art can serve as a powerful tool for empowerment, healing and community building.”
The exhibition also shines a light on the mission of Tache gallery itself. Established to nurture and showcase emerging artists, the gallery provides a crucial platform for those at a pivotal stage in their careers. “At Tache, we are dedicated to championing bold and diverse contemporary voices,” says Lauren Fulcher, Project and Gallery Manager. “We’re thrilled to present the work of Betty Ogun, an artist whose practice embodies the very spirit of experimentation and cultural inquiry that drives our mission.”
A graduate of Central Saint Martins and the Slade School of Fine Art, Ogun’s incisive social commentary and unique blend of figurative storytelling position LOVE/FIGHT as a must-see exhibition, announcing a formidable new talent.
Exhibition Details:
Betty Ogun: LOVE/FIGHT is presented at Tache, London.
Dates: 18 September – 23 October 2025
Location: 33 Percy Street, London W1T 2DF
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 11am – 6pm; Saturday, 12pm – 4pm
Private View: Thursday, 18 September 2025, 6-8pm
