Photographer and digital artist Oluwatobi Ogundunsin is dedicated to presenting the splendor of African culture. Ogundunsin, who was born in Nigeria, depicts the Yoruba tribe’s history and tradition in his artwork.
Ogundunsin presented brand-new artistic creations that are on display right now. “The Gele’s grace,” “minds behind the talking drum,” “beauty wrapped in color,” and “duality of temptation and redemption” are the titles of these pieces. Viewers are given a glimpse of some of the aesthetics that, along with numerous others, comprise Yoruba culture through these pieces.
The dignity of women is visually represented by the grace of the gele. The model was depicted by the artist wearing a vibrant gele that was expertly knotted around her head. The model is photographed against the vibrant background of an ankara, or African print fabric. This ankara fabric’s reflection is also visible on the model’s eyeglasses. The model’s gele sits flawlessly, giving her a majestic appearance and serving as a visual representation of what a proud, black African lady looks like.
The woman is gazing straight forward in one of the pictures, which gives the posture a bolder, more confident feel. Her stare adds intensity to the picture, and her face serves as the main focal point. The model face in the second image is angled slightly to the left. The Gele completes her self assured expression.
A key component of Yoruba fashion is the gele. It has cultural and spiritual importance in addition to being a fashion piece. The gele is regarded as the crown of women. Additionally, Yoruba women boldly and beautifully adorn this gele, displaying a variety of intricate tie types.
Beauty enveloped in colors is another intriguing piece of art; like all of Ogundunsin’s previous artworks, this series only has two pieces. The model is wearing her gele in the artwork. The photo has been altered somewhat surrealistically. The artwork discusses the model’s and gele’s beauty. The parallels between this piece and the Gele’s grace are evident.
“Minds behind the talking drum” is the third project that caught my attention. The Yoruba culture is another source of influence for this. An elderly man poses with a talking drum in these two pictures. The talking drum an ancient form of drum indigenous to the yorubas. The image is straightforward but powerful; in my opinion, the artist’s primary goal was to highlight and photograph the men behind the talking drum rather than the instrument itself. Their comfortable and drum in tune facial expressions were captured in the picture. Additionally, both males are dressed in traditional Yoruba attire.
A window in the background of one of the pictures depicts an old guy sitting on a stone platform in front of a building wall. His traditional Yoruba attire is a reflection of his cultural background. In addition to holding a talking drum, the man strikes a composed, grounded attitude that conveys experience and authority in his field. The man in the second picture is also dressed traditionally, and his posture suggests that he is either prepared or performing.
One of the most significant cultural and musical instruments of the Yoruba people is the talking drum. Because the drum can produce a variety of notes when struck with a stick, it is known as the talking drum. In this manner, information could be sent using the drum in the past. However, the artist is more interested in the minds that beat the drums than in the actual drums. With their drumming, these guys have added to the great beauty and richness of Yoruba culture. They have a wealth of stories to tell about entertaining monarchs and chiefs and communicating with the entire community.
The visually appealing narratives of Ogundunsin’s works give contrasting yet complimentary perspectives on afrocentric pride and beauty. Every picture honors Yoruba culture. This artwork has excellent definition thanks to Ogundunsin’s use of earthy hues, natural soft lighting, and a serene, introspective, and self assured atmosphere.
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 