SeaBorne
SeaBorne
acrylic on canvas
36×48″
2021
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SeaBorne
acrylic on canvas
36×48″
2021
This is one of the paintings I just discovered in my garage.
The painting celebrates Robert Hayden’s poem, “Middle Passage.”
It is a really long poem.
The painting focuses on this excerpt:
“That Crew and Captain lusted with the comeliest
of the savage girls kept naked in the cabins;
that there was one they called The Guinea Rose
and they cast lots and fought to lie with her: ”
The character across the floor of the ship being whipped to consent is the lady called Guinea Rose in the poem.
2020 has been an eventful year.
We will not itemize the list of the horrors of the year.
Can we, instead, highlight the blessings?
Rather than explore the sadness of the year, can we paint images that are sweet?
Can we find the joy hidden behind the sorrow?
Can we squeeze order out of the chaos?
Life Begins At 65
I’m only just 64, but life begins at 65
I thank all my friends who sent me birthday wishes yesterday.
I can’t wait for the party to start when, finally, I get born one year from today.
But, it’s alright. Some people are only in their thirties, forties, fifties and early sixties. They have to wait a while to get born and start rocking.
At 65, you’ve done it all. Life has thrown all it has at you, and you have stood your ground. You can easily say, “Ẹran kí la ò jẹ rí? What edible flesh am I yet to chew?”
Teacher: Nigeria means NIGGER AREA. Spell it.
Student: I-T.
Teacher: River Niger means NIGGER river. Spell it.
Student: I-T.
Ghana was named Gold Coast.
The people were smart enough
Professor Adeleke Adeeko has used my recent painting for the cover of his new book, titled KỌ́LẸ́Ẹ̀JÌ ONÍGBÁMÉJÌ.
It is a translation of Femi Osofisan’s book, titled CHOLERA COLLEGE.
Professor Adeeko teaches at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.