Ori Ade

This sculpture Ori Ade, investigates yoruba knowledge systems of belief and practice in relation to the concept of destiny: fate vs free will, divine predestination vs self pre-destination. In Yoruba, the ori is extremely integral to the idea of destiny as it represents the spiritual component of one's humanity and the physical head. It is believed that one chooses their head/ori upon creation- (akunleyan) but the ori is also a spiritual entity present during creation predestined and sealed (akunlegba and ayanmo) by the determiner of destiny- olodumare

"Ori Ade" translates to "head of crown" in English language, so this sculpture acts as a physical embodiment of my ori/head as well as my relationship with it. The Yoruba knowledge system regarding destiny is one that is complex, tethering fatalism and self-determinism depending on the situation or circumstance. This sculpture aims to exist in the space between- fate and destiny, acknowledging phenomenas beyond human control while strengthening the power of the freewill to shape our existence

Ori Ade features wooden-like ears that act as an antenna or communication device, connecting the metaphysical external world of fate and divine predestination, to the internal world of self-choice and freewill. Likewise, the physical ears are personified through the angular formations of the wood, embodying the appendages as a transformer- receiving stimulus from the environment to inform a response to our existence in a sort of lifetime feedback loop. 

Usually appropriated through a lot of my paintings, this sculpture is dominated by the color Red, signifying a spiritual infinity of possibilities and abundance simply through existence. This work reflects a modern adaptation of the ori, echoing the sentiment that as long as we are alive, we always have an opportunity and will to drive and define our existence.