Awelewa awakening 2
$1,500.00
It delves into the decolonization of Nigeria's history through the depiction of African women with exceptionally long necks. These women symbolize the strength, grace, and resilience of the African spirit, transcending the confines of colonial narratives and embracing a powerful identity. In this series, each woman's face, from the nose up, is concealed by a futuristic mask. These masks serve as a representation of the dualities faced by African women—their hidden struggles, the silencing of their voices, and the preservation of their cultural heritage. Incorporated into the upper part of each mask are elements inspired by African artifact mask sculptures, emphasizing a connection to the ancestral past and the importance of cultural memory. The portrait is intentionally cut at the chest level, where a blend of futurism and technology manifest as cloth. This element symbolizes the merging of traditional African attire with futuristic materials, suggesting a transformative power that emerges when the past and the future collide. It represents the notion that progress and technological advancements can be achieved without sacrificing cultural heritage, ultimately fostering a sense of pride and empowerment. The series draws inspiration from the previous "Awelewa Series" which was itself influenced by Fela Anikulapo's song titled "Lady." "Awelewa," meaning "beautiful one" in Yoruba, celebrates the beauty and strength of African women, encouraging them to reclaim their stories and redefine their identities on their own terms. This new series, "The Resilient Spirits: Awelewa Awakens," builds upon these ideas and explores the process of decolonizing Nigeria's history through the lens of female empowerment. These paintings aim to challenge the dominant narratives that have marginalized African voices and seeks to reclaim the richness and complexity of the Nigerian experience. By incorporating elements of abstract realism, futuristic aesthetics, and traditional symbolism, the series aims to spark conversations about identity, power, and the decolonization of historical narratives.
Artist Name
Kolapo Olorunyemi
Artist Statement
My work is driven by a deep fascination with people and how we carry our histories, imagine our futures, and shape the worlds we inhabit. I work primarily through the human figure because the body holds memory in ways that words cannot. A gesture, a gaze, or a subtle expression can reveal the invisible forces that shape identity such as culture, time, belief, and experience. Portraiture for me is not only about likeness but about presence. Each face becomes a meeting point between past, present, and possibility.
In recent years, my practice has increasingly been shaped by Afrofuturism, a space where imagination becomes a tool for rethinking African identity beyond inherited limitations. I am interested in how African stories can move forward into the future without losing their depth and complexity. Rather than seeing the future as something distant, I approach it as something we are already building through the ways we see ourselves and one another.
This exploration has led me to develop the idea of Nutopia, a speculative space that exists somewhere between memory and projection. Nutopia is not a physical place but a way of imagining a future shaped by African consciousness, resilience, and creativity. It is a world where identity is fluid yet rooted, where history is acknowledged but not restrictive, and where new possibilities for being human can emerge. Through drawing and painting, I attempt to visualize fragments of this imagined world, moments where tradition and innovation coexist and where African identity expands rather than dissolves.
My background in science continues to influence how I think and work. I am drawn to systems, patterns, and the unseen structures that organize reality. This perspective shapes my approach to image making, where intuition and investigation move together. Research, observation, and experimentation are essential parts of my process, allowing me to translate abstract ideas into visual form.
At its core, my practice is also deeply personal. Making art is my way of navigating the constant flow of ideas, beliefs, and questions that shape how I understand the world. Each work becomes a record of that search and an attempt to locate myself within a larger story that connects history, imagination, and human experience.
I hope my work creates spaces for reflection where viewers can recognize something of themselves while also encountering unfamiliar possibilities. Through these encounters, I aim to open quiet conversations about identity, belonging, and the futures we are capable of imagining together.
Artist Bio
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Interpretation and clarity of the theme, to the viewer.
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