LÁOLÚ
Afromations
Afromations
Láolú
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the artist's inspiration
Growing up in Nigeria, my grandmother was a huge part of my life. With her passions, she introduced me to the wonder of Yoruba culture: its mythology, its art, its oral history, its oriki – our tradition of poetry and songs of praise.
She gave me the gift of origins – a deep connection and grounding. We all carry imprints of the experiences of the generations before us. I think you see it when people of the African diaspora come to, and experience, West Africa for the first time and just cry. It is a sense of unburdening, of you without pretense. Understanding our origins is so valuable to our sense of self and what in Yoruba mythology is called ori – our soul, essence and instincts.
And I believe when you tap into your ori, you can move mountains.
CAPITOL PARK, detroit
june 2024
That is what I offer in the sculpture Afromations. I hope that you see the language and spirit of Yoruba ancestors. Throughout the piece you’ll be able to spot important symbols, from the eye that represents wisdom to the heart that represents love and the chord that represents unity of purpose.
In the interweaving of ancient and modern symbols, you can see the culture of our ancestors does not belong in the past, but firmly in the present. It is also not a culture and visual language that is limited by time or geography. I have met Yoruba people across the world who carry it with them. I have also learned about cultures far from West Africa that share some of our philosophies, stories and patterns.
The piece also features a collective of Black diasporans who have contributed to the social and cultural preservation of Black identity. By celebrating who we are, we honour our shared heritage and forge a deeper connection to our roots and to each other.
It also honours those who have been taken from us as a direct result of systemic racism and prejudice. This has become a very important part of my consciousness since I started living outside of West Africa, where I had never experienced the everyday prejudice that exists elsewhere. The memories of those who have become ancestors too soon call on us to stand for and with one another to demand and work for change.
In many ways, this sculpture is inspired by our ancestors. They bring us together and empower us. They help us understand our identities now. But it is also inspired by the simple idea that we are ancestors in the making – so what are we going to make of it?
All of our stories are valid. Our cultures are valid. Let us discover them in all their complexity. Let us express them, unapologetically. Let us share them, unreservedly.
Every time we do, we strengthen our individual and collective ori.
THEME
origins - rooted in africa
Millions of Africans were captured and forcibly taken to enslavement in the Americas. Rooted in Africa honours the societies they came from – rich in innovation, philosophy, resources, creativity and community.
LÁOLÚ
Laolu is a Nigerian born, Brooklyn based multidisciplinary artist with a wide-spanning background with music and performing arts, visual art, human rights law, and activism. Having started his career in law, Laolu has always sought out to help others reveal their truth, which he now does in the way that comes most natural to him: art. Laolu is guided by the idea that all things; be it paper, walls, people, buildings, cars, you name it — are his canvas. By placing his artwork on just about any and everything he can get his hands on, Laolu seeks to leave a part of his art and Yoruba heritage wherever he goes through one canvas at time. Laolu has worked with prominent figures such as Beyoncé, Burna Boy, J.Balvin, Serena Williams, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Lupita Nyongo. Laolu’s work has featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Vice, CNN and the BBC.
Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.
In the interweaving of ancient and modern symbols, you can see the culture of our ancestors does not belong in the past, but firmly in the present. It is also not a culture and visual language that is limited by
time or geography. I have met Yoruba people across the world who carry it with them. I have also learned about cultures far from West Africa that share some of our philosophies, stories and patterns.
The piece also features a collective of Black diasporans who have contributed to the social and cultural preservation of Black identity. By celebrating who we are, we honour our shared heritage and forge a deeper connection to our roots and to each other.
It also honours those who have been taken from us as a direct result of systemic racism and prejudice. This has become a very important part of my consciousness since I started living outside of West Africa, where I had never experienced the everyday prejudice that exists elsewhere. The memories of those who have become ancestors too soon call on us to stand for and with one another to demand and work for change.
In many ways, this sculpture is inspired by our ancestors. They bring us together and empower us. They help us understand our identities now. But it is also inspired by the simple idea that we are ancestors in the making – so what are we going to make of it?
All of our stories are valid. Our cultures are valid. Let us discover them
in all their complexity. Let us express them, unapologetically. Let us share them, unreservedly.
Every time we do, we strengthen our individual and collective ori.
Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.
LÁOLÚ
Laolu Senbanjo is a Nigerian born, Brooklyn based multidisciplinary artist with a wide-spanning background with music and performing arts, visual art, human rights law, and activism. Having started his career in law, Laolu has always sought out to help others reveal their truth, which he now does in the way that comes most natural to him: art. Laolu is guided by the idea that all things; be it paper, walls, people, buildings, cars, you name it — are his canvas. By placing his artwork on just about any and everything he can get his hands on, Laolu seeks to leave a part of his art and Yoruba heritage wherever he goes through one canvas at time. Laolu has worked with prominent figures such as Beyoncé, Burna Boy, J.Balvin, Serena Williams, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Lupita Nyongo. Laolu’s work has featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Vice, CNN and the BBC.
explore the theme
For everyone. For you. By all of us. Join us.
For everyone. For you.
By all of us. Join us.
explore the theme
PURPOSE
in our relationship with ourselves.
WORTHINESS
I am worthy of love dignity and respect.
AWARENESS
I know how I see the world and where it comes from.
BELIEF
I believe I have something valuable to offer.
PURPOSE
I know what inspires me and what I want to do.
Growing up in Nigeria, my grandmother was a huge part of my life. With her passions, she introduced me to the wonder of Yoruba culture: its mythology, its art, its oral history, its oriki – our tradition of poetry and songs of praise.
She gave me the gift of origins – a deep connection and grounding. We all carry imprints of the experiences of the generations before us. I think you see it when people of the African diaspora come to, and experience, West Africa for the first time and just cry. It is a sense of unburdening, of you without pretense. Understanding our origins is so valuable to our sense of self and what in Yoruba mythology is called ori – our soul, essence and instincts.
And I believe when you tap into your ori, you can move mountains.
That is what I offer in the sculpture Afromations – the language and spirit of Yoruba ancestors. Throughout the piece you’ll be able to spot important symbols, from the eye that represents wisdom to the heart that represents love and the chord that represents unity of purpose.
THEME
origins - rooted in africa
Millions of Africans were captured and forcibly taken to enslavement in the Americas. Rooted in Africa honours the societies they came from – rich in innovation, philosophy, resources, creativity and community.