Artist Statement

In style, content and formal properties, my artwork reflects the motifs found in the traditional arts and crafts of the Yoruba people. The themes revolve around occupations, religious images, music, fashion designs, myths and folklores. Initially, when I was in college, the images recalled subconsciously. Recently, though, I make deliberate efforts to incorporate the familiar symbols and designs found in various traditional wears, musical instruments, carvings, and batik dyeing, in my artworks. The talking drums or the baritone igbin drums with their intricate carvings are much more than the sounds they produce. The formal elements expressed by the striped cords, and the wooden pegs that stretch the hide taut, beautifully illustrate graceful lines and textured organic shapes that end up as focal points in my works.
Religious subjects from biblical stories are also a source of inspiration for my creative work. Though many of the stories can be narrative, I portray the images in stylized forms. The idea of stylizing started out as a way of getting kids to look for clues in solving puzzles about biblical personalities and events in our Children Ministry at church. It has since become another style of self-expression for me.
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