Textile Artist And Teacher Gasali Adeyemo Features on 'Messengers

Textile artist and teacher Gasali Adeyemo talks about preserving Nigeria’s traditional textiles -like batik, adire, itinochi, and akwocha -his humble childhood, his biggest influences, and the next generation.

 


Africa-Related New York


Textile Artist Gasali Adeyemo dicusses the Yoruba art of Adire (tye-dye) making.

From modest beginnings to becoming a leading voice in textile preservation, Gasali Adeyemo shares a journey rooted in craft, culture, and continuity.

In this episode of Messengers with Oyiza, Gasali explores the rich history and cultural significance of traditional Nigerian textiles from Adire and Batik to Itinochi and Akwocha and the urgent need to preserve these indigenous techniques for future generations.

He shares his experience styling Viola Davis in the film "The Woman King". He also reflects on his early influences like Nike Art Gallery (@nikeartgallery), the discipline behind mastering textile artistry, and the responsibility of passing down knowledge in a rapidly changing world.

This is a conversation about heritage, identity, and the role of artists as custodians of culture.

Follow Gasali @yoruba_indigo. Watch now on Spotify.



MESSENGERS with Oyiza’ is an engaging interview TV/podcast series hosted by Nigerian journalist and producer Oyiza Adaba. Produced by Africa-Related and recorded remotely from New York and on location, the show blends relaxed conversations with interviews of selected guests who discuss topics about Africa for a global audience. The conversations aim to bridge divides, correct misconceptions, and spark positive discussion about Africa and its people. Each 30-minute episode features inspiring stories, creative graphics, video clips, and background reports. The series focuses on Africa's People, Places and Issues.



For more stories told from an African perspective, follow us at africarelatedinc

#AfricaRelated #AfricanArt #art #podcast #conversation  #artist #messengerswithoyiza #Messengers #AfricaRelated #TextileArt #adire #batik  #CulturalHeritage #TheWomanKing #oyizaadaba 


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A Group Exhibition of Art and Poetry on Wate

The official documentary of the Mmiri bụ Ndụ (Water Is Life) art and poetry exhibition is now available!



Now Live! The Mmiri bụ Ndụ (Water is Life) Exhibition Documentary 🌍💧


 

IAS-UNN announces that the official documentary of the Mmiri bụ Ndụ art and poetry exhibition is now available. The exhibition, curated by the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in collaboration with Our Water and Health Network Africa, formed part of the 4th International Conference on Water in Africa. Through powerful visual art and poetry, Mmiri Bu Ndu examines the presence, absence, social history, and state of water in Africa and in African life.


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Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY

A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.

 


Press Release:

Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY - A Community-Driven Initiative


 

A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.

ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA, August 9, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tom Adaba Legacy - an Abuja-based non-profit foundation with education at its core, in partnership with Ita'i Our Cloth , Africa-Related Inc is proud to introduce its upcoming community-engaging project entitled Roots Runway. The aim is to grace global runways with designs made from locally produced cotton, woven by the popular Ebira Weavers in Okene, Nigeria, central Nigeria.

What we have in mind is to raise standards, particularly in areas that have been forgotten. To bring back the good old ones, and raise them to greater heights and international standards.
— Tom and Theresa Adaba - Chief Patrons, Tom Adaba Legacy

Roots Runway was launched on the eve of veteran broadcaster and Chief Patron, Tom Adaba's 83rd Birthday on July 2, 2024. It applies a multi-pronged approach to reviving the local cotton production and processing in Nigeria while serving to bridge historical disconnects through farming and fashion. It works by forming clusters of local farmers and weavers, creating jobs for youth, training in the cotton production process, revisiting ancient and creating new designs; and engaging artistic communities to use locally produced yarn for designs that will ultimately feature in prestigious global museums, runways, art fairs, etc.

 

Tom Adaba Legacy Board President, award-winning filmmaker Mrs. Oyiza Adaba-Okereke spoke at the hybrid launch, outlining plans to incorporate sub themes about environment, agro-waste, history, education and community development in the project. She said they will form partnerships in agriculture, design & construction and technology.


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+234Art Fair Holds First Edition In Lagos

There is a brand-new Nigerian art fair dedicated to supporting emerging artists that is coming up in Lagos from 22nd to 31st March, 2024. +234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria by providing a platform that supports emerging artists and encourages art acquisition.


 
 

+234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry


There is a brand-new Nigerian art fair dedicated to supporting emerging artists that is coming up in Lagos. It’s called the +234 Art Fair and will run from 22nd to 31st March, 2024.

+234Art Fair is dedicated to nurturing and uplifting the burgeoning art industry in Nigeria by providing a platform that supports emerging artists and encourages increased interest in art acquisition, thereby contributing to the growth and prosperity of the local art sector as well as its international recognition.

The 2024 theme for the +234 Art Fair is “Heritage”, aimed at young artists to explore ways in which they can build practices that tie to the past but also create new futures. The fair seeks to explore the development of young artists in order to give inspiration and insight on how the creation of an indigenous style contributes to global reach and success. 

The Venue for the Fair is the new Ecobank Pan-African Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. The programme of events include Masterclasses that will treat subjects such as African Art in the Global Art Market, The Business of Photography, Bridging Time: Connecting Heritage and Modernity in Nigerian Art, How to Navigate the International Art Scene as a Local Artist, Artistic Research, Grant Writing, Navigating Biennales and Museums in Contemporary Art

Panelists include Florence Lynch, a New York-based art dealer, Alain Ngann a photographer artist, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a Nigerian creative photographer, Oluwatoyin Sogbesan an architect, a cultural historian, Jess Castellote, the Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art; and many more

The exhibition’s title, “+234Art,” cleverly merges Nigeria’s country calling code (+234) with the encompassing term “Art,” serving as an all-encompassing representation of the contemporary Nigerian art scene and its interconnectedness with the broader African and global art community.  This free-entry fair offers an immersive showcase of painting, photography, and sculpture, providing the public with an upclose look at the latest creative endeavours of emerging artists and photographers in Nigeria.

For more info on +234 Art Fair


 
 

 
 



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Adinkra Craft Village Ntonso Benefits From U.S. Sorority

A tale of two communities - Adinkra Village, Ntonso is home to Ghana’s ancient tradition of weaving, dying, stamping, stitching and symbols. Over the Christmas holidays, an Indianapolis Sorority stopped by to fulfill their own developmental pledge.


 
 

Head of Family Peter “Alhaji” Boakye drinks from the new water pump facility shortly after commissioning, donated by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Photo by Adinkra Village, Ntonso

Oyiza adaba

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December 27, 2023

A tale of two communities - Adinkra Village, Ntonso is home to Ghana’s ancient tradition of weaving, dying, stamping, stitching and symbols. Over the Christmas holidays, an Indianapolis Sorority stopped by to fulfill their own developmental pledge.


Infrastructure funding in Ghana by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority


December 2023 was when  the  Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc embarked on a “journey of transformation” to the West African country of Ghana. Their aim was to mark their second anniversary by donating funds to the growth and development of some select parts of Ghana. The Sorority founded by seven African-American women from Butler University Indianapolis and led by the international President, Rasheeda S. Liberty undertook this as a philanthropic mission, by tagging the experience, “Transformative 2023 Birthright Journey to Ghana”.

This commissioning ceremony was  held on December 27, 2023 in the village center. The  Abusuapayin (Elders from the Royal family of Ntonso) - Nana Yaw Poku, family members, along with some dignitaries and resident Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Matthias Korankye hosted the sorority President and members.

The non-profit women's organization, committed to service, sisterhood, scholarships and sisterhood, has mentorships and development initiatives at its core. They had visited various areas in Ghana, and funded the toilet and water plumbing facility in Ntonso, near Kumasi, with a renewed gaze set on promoting a healthy and hygienic environment for its habitants. The community was delighted to host the Sorority, as they had done many times in the past with its constant stream of tourists.


School children in attendance of the commissioning. Photo by Adinkra Craft Village, Ntonso

In her speech Sorority President Rasheeda S. Liberty cited the group's interest in the development of the communities and fostering a lasting and meaningful relationship as a testament to their commitment to service.

The event marked a historical moment in Ntonso, Ghana, that brought out the entire community, including school children.



about Adinkra CRAFT Village Ntonso

Located near Kumasi, Ntonso is known as the homeland of the hand dying and stamping of Adinkra symbols on Ghana’s most popular cloth - the Kente. It is also regarded as a beautiful tourist site, that yearly hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the world. The community spirit is felt by visitors, both old and young under the  leadership of Peter Boakye, popularly known as Alhaji.

In his inherited role as the current Head of Family, since taking the reins from his Uncle who passed away in 2016 Boakye says he doesn't take it for granted. He does his best in continuing in the tradition handed down by his forebears - to build an organized community structure with attention to duties and details. Ntonso remains a tourist haven that takes time to teach and offer classes about the origins and techniques of Ghana’s ancient symbols. In Ntonso tradition, the men continue to weave, while the women do the dye jobs.

Adinkra Craft Village, Ntonso is featured in the biographical documentary DELA, as one of the early influences in the art of El Anatsui - the globally reconignized Sculptor.

Photo/Video by Adinkra Craft Village Ntonso

 
 



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