ORI 2021 - Bronze Heads

Bronze heads
Varied edition of 100 + 11 Artist's Proof
2 x 1.5 x 1.25 inches
Cast in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast

$100 each for the first release of 25
$125 for the second release of 25
$150 for the third release of 50

These bronze heads are inspired by the Yoruba creation myth in which the deity, Obatala, descends from the skies to mold clay figures in his likeness. On his break, he consumes a copious amount of palm wine and inevitably returns to the task drunk. As a result, many of the figures he created were imperfect and different from one another. The chief god, Olorun, ruler of the sky, breathed life into the figures and they became living beings, the first people. The Great Kingdom of Ife was born.

In this project, Oluseye assumes the role of Obatala. He customizes the heads (Ori) with various details including cornrows, the striated tribal marks of the Yoruba, and the facial scarification features (balafres) of the Akan region where he created these heads. Additional features are attributed to the serendipity of the lost wax technique. No two heads are the same.