Àsìkò, whose real name is Ade Okelarin, is a British-Nigerian artist known for his captivating visual representations of emotions and complex issues. Àsìkò employs photography, mixed media, and film to explore multifaceted themes on identity, culture, memory, and heritage.
Born in London in 1978, Àsìkò spent his formative years in Lagos, Nigeria and his teenage years back in London. Àsìkò is self-taught. His creative journey as a photographer began as a hobby. He developed professionally by exploring concept-driven art, inspired by his passion for African art. In 2019, Asiko examined the use of masquerade festivals featuring costumes from Yoruba culture in the Rites of Passage exhibition at London’s Gagosian gallery.
Àsìkò’s pieces often confront gender stereotypes and the role of women in society. This is reflected in multiple exhibitions including the Adorned series in 2020 and Woman Code series, exhibited at Gallery of African Art, London, in 2018 and Strange Fruit Woman Code, Online Exhibition, in 2020.
In the same year, the murder of George Floyd and the public outcry that ensued led to Movement: Art for Social Change I can’t breathe, public installations in New York, Chicago, Washington, Atlanta, June 2021.
Other exhibitions include:
Afrofuturism Black Panther Portraits, British Film Institute, London, 2018
Layers International Women’s Day, South Bank Centre, London, 2016
Refs: Àsìkò: Blending Yoruba heritage with AI, forging captivating art, and fostering cultural diversity. (mindedpodcast.com) Àsìkò | HAART (houseofafricanart.com)
Image credit: Àsìkò Photographer: Yoruba masqueraders very near Newcastle: Àsìkò’s best photograph | Photography | The Guardian
