TITLE: Slaveships to Spaceships

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

This iconic work is a mind map that explores the interrelationships of human systems-- including religions, political structures, trade networks, legal institutions and cultural production-- through the distinctly Yoruba African lens of the artist. Past, present and future intermingle fluidly with vivid symbolism. To isolate one theme, the slave ship imagery throughout juxtaposed alongside representa- tions of economy, industry and space explora- tion demonstrate how this nation was built on the free labor of Africans who have also man- aged to survive and thrive at the highest levels of excellence, now and forever.