1925-2018

1925-2018

He almost made it into 2019. I wonder what stopped him.

The last of the soft kleptomaniacs and kleptocrats?

In his days, politicians stole in hundreds of thousands of naira. Or a few couples of million naira.

They were soft kleptomaniacs and kleptocrats.

Now we have hardcore kleptomaniacs and kleptocrats.

Àkòdì Òrìṣà at sunset, Ile Ife, Nigeria.

Àkòdì Òrìṣà at sunset, Ile Ife, Nigeria.

Àkòdì Òrìṣà at sunset, Ile Ife, Nigeria.

This is the location of the Àkòdì Òrìṣà, the home of the ancestral orisa in Yoruba country.

The curator of the Àkòdì Òrìṣà sent me this picture to inform me of the treat that awaits me when I return to Ile Ife. I’ll be there soon. Soon.

Homesick.

Homesick.

I will close my eyes and transport myself back home, among my friends, drinking palm wine laced with stout, or whatever. Khaki. Or whatsoever friends gift our ancestors.

Àjò ò dùn bí ilé.

It is Thanksgiving week in the United States when people are giving thanks to their ancestors.

Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì Dome

Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì Dome

Architect-artist: Moyo Okediji Curator: Bisola Oladunjoye Builders: The Àkòdì Òrìṣà artists Title: Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì Dome Date: 2018 Location: Ile Ife, NigeriaIn this building, called Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì, I designed a structure serving as a home of sacred art, using innovative designs and materials that explore indigenous African traditions. I will post details of the building below.