Art x Adẹ

This painting draws its inspiration from a profound Yoruba proverb: "Igi gogoro ma gun mi loju, okere la ti n wo" , which translates to "For a tall tree not to poke me in the eye, it is best observed from a distance." At its core, this saying speaks to the importance of caution, foresight, and the wisdom of perspective in navigating life’s challenges. The towering, thorny tree in the painting represents looming threats or difficult situations that may appear overpowering up close. The lone figure on the path, standing at a safe distance and facing the vast ocean, symbolises the human need to pause, reflect, and evaluate from afar before engaging. The turbulent sky and crashing waves echo the uncertainties of life, while the winding path suggests that wisdom is often found through introspection, not confrontation.  As an artist, I am deeply influenced by proverbs, nature, and personal experience. This piece is not just a visual expression, but a moral c...

Medium: Acrylic  on Canvas Board Size: 16" x 20" Inspired by the Yoruba Proverb: “Adiyẹ baa l’okùn, ara ò ròkùn, ara ò r’adiyẹ," Harmony on the Line is a visual meditation on the Yoruba proverb that says, “A chicken is perching on a rope; neither the chicken nor the rope feels any pain.” This age-old wisdom speaks to a state of delicate balance, where two opposing forces coexist in quiet understanding, without tension or harm. At the heart of the canvas is a chicken perched on a taut rope, poised between contrasting landscapes. Its textured feathers and calm posture symbolise quiet resilience. The rope, stretched between green and golden ground, represents life’s fragile threads, strained, but never broken. Behind it, a chaotic mix of brushstrokes in the sky and trees reflect the world’s complexity, yet the central image remains serene. This painting explores themes of tolerance, silent strength, and the often-overlooked harmony that can exist in fragile...

This painting captures the fierce and majestic spirit of Ṣ ango , the revered Oriṣa of thunder, lightning, and justice in Yoruba mythology. With symbolic double axes raised high and feet firmly planted in a blaze of red flames, Ṣango stands as a figure of power, defiance, and divine authority. The swirling strokes and dynamic colour contrasts reflect the raw energy of storms and the Oriṣa’s commanding presence. His red and white regalia, colours sacred to his cult, symbolise both purification and the ferocity of elemental fire. The background, painted in turbulent textures, echoes the chaos and beauty of nature under Ṣango's command. Inspired by ancestral memory and spiritual symbolism, this piece pays homage not only to the deity himself but also to the enduring strength of Yoruba traditions and cosmology.