Sounds of my forefathers
Sounds of My Forefathers is a visual tribute to the traditional drums that once carried the voices of my ancestors. This is a superimposition of 10 pictures of traditional instruments. Through layered superimpositions of pictures and oil-painted textures, this body of work reimagines the rhythmic essence of Nigerian heritage, transforming sound into sight.
For generations, these drums were more than instruments, they were storytellers, communicators, and cultural anchors. Each beat held meaning, from royal ceremonies to communal gatherings, from calls to war to messages of peace. By blending multiple drum images and enhancing them with painterly textures, I seek to capture their timeless presence, preserving their rhythm in a new artistic language.
This work is my way of ensuring that the sounds of my forefathers continue to resonate—not just through the ears, but through the eyes and hearts of those who engage with them.
$1,000
Sounds of my forefathers 2
$500
Ayan from heaven
In this subtle self-portrait, I am Ayan, the drummer, the storyteller, the soul that speaks through rhythm. Clothed in white, surrounded by an ethereal glow, I exist in a space between the earthly and the divine. The talking drum in my hands is more than an instrument; it is a voice, an ancestral echo calling from realms unseen.
The softness of the scene, the purity of white, creates the illusion of descent as if I am not just playing the drum, but carrying down sacred sounds from the heavens. In Yoruba tradition, drumming is more than music; it is language, prayer, and connection to the spirits of those who came before us.
Ayan from Heaven is a tribute to that legacy, a reminder that the heartbeat of our forefathers still resonates through those who listen.
$500
destined to drum
In this self-portrait, I stand in the light, side-facing yet fully present, holding the talking drum with purpose. My hands strike its surface, but the rhythm goes beyond mere sound—it is a calling, a destiny woven into every beat. The expression on my face is left open for interpretation, inviting the viewer to see beyond the image and into the soul of a drummer whose path is intertwined with a voice passed down through generations.
This oil-painted image enhances the depth of that connection, blending texture and movement to give the impression that the drum itself is alive, pulsing with ancestral energy.
Destined to Drum is not just a title; it is a truth I have come to embrace. The rhythm is in me, and I am in the rhythm.