Shegun Oseh is a digital artist and art photographer whose creations are deeply rooted in African culture and storytelling. His piece, which includes Sounds of My forefather 1 & 2, Ayan from heaven and destined to drum are captivating digital artworks that honors traditional yoruba drums and musical instruments. The work features images of Yoruba drums known as gangan, or talking drums, alongside a drummer striking them.Other musical instruments featured in this piece include the sekere (shaker), which produces a rattling sound when shaken. The visuals are digitally rendered with an oil painting texture.
Each painting exhibits a vivid shade of blue, yellow, green, brown, black, purple, and red, making them all colorful works. Being a drummer himself and having a family history of drummers, “This work is his way of ensuring that the sounds of his forefathers continue to resonate—not just through the ears, but through the eyes and hearts of those who engage with them,” Shegun Oseh said in Sounds of My Forefathers. Shegun Oseh provided us with background information on the meaning of each piece that was on show.The artist claims that “Ayan from Heaven” is a remembrance of his ancestors’ history and a reminder that the sound of his ancestors continues to reverberate through listeners. On destined to drum. The artist claims that this is a reality that he has accepted. He is in the beat, and the rhythm is in him.
Considering the theme Shegun Oseh chose to explore, drumming appears to hold deep personal meaning for him. For each artwork, he provides a brief written reflection to offer insight into his creative intent. In one of the pieces titled Ayan from Heaven, the spiritual and cultural bond between Oseh and his art becomes especially evident.
In a self-portrait included in the series, he incorporates the words… ‘I am Ayan, the drummer, the storyteller, the soul that speaks through rhythm’.
Drums carry profound cultural and spiritual significance in Nigeria. The country where Shegun Oseh originates from. They are deeply woven into the fabric of tradition, and drummers are held in high esteem. Among the Yoruba people, certain families have embraced drumming as a generational occupation, with many bearing names that begin with “Ayan.” For these families, drumming is more than an art—it is a cherished ancestral duty, with the responsibility passed down from one generation to the next.
Yoruba gangan drummers are more than entertainers—they are communicators. As its name suggests, the talking drum was historically used to convey messages to the public. When an Oba (king) passed away, the gangan would be played to announce the news. Those who understood the language of the drum could interpret its meaning. The drum was also sounded during the coronation of a king, or to share important information with the community. Even today, it remains a tool for subtle communication, sometimes used in music to playfully mock or challenge someone with whom the drummer has a disagreement.
In Yoruba culture, the drummer is not merely a performer but a messenger—an essential voice within the society.
Shegun Oseh’s self-portrait with the gangan drum perfectly captures this role. While he may not play the drum in a literal sense, through his art he channels the spirit of the gangan drummer—using visual storytelling to share messages, preserve culture, and reveal his identity as a drummer and a artist.
Ade Olusola Kunmi
Culture Beyond the Mainstream 