#laolu

Watch. Listen. LAOLU. 'How to Feel.'

Art and wisdom by @laolunyc 🙏🏾 My Art is NOT 'tribal.' The word Tribal implies primitive, basic, and is a word that was used by the colonizers to describe people that became subjects. My art is NOT primitive, basic, overly simplified, nor is it easy. Most artists who are very skilled cannot draw lines the way that I do. Also, if you look at my works not only do they have intense story lines but every single pattern, has a meaning, a significance. My art is not indigenous, aboriginal, or even generally 'African.' I am a Yoruba man from Nigeria. I am African. However, just because I am Yoruba and I am African does not mean that ALL of the art I create is even African per se. My ART is NOT TRIBAL. The word Tribe is derogatory, it implies a simplicity and a lack of origin. If you have ever seen my art in real life you would never call it 'simple' and it definitely has an origin. I was raised in Nigeria and I know my culture. My mother tongue is Yoruba. My art often has Yoruba mythology and Yoruba deities in it. I weave stories into my pieces and the the patterns and lines connect these stories together. My art does not derive from the Maori or the Samoan, when I perform the Sacred Art of the Ori performance art on people, whether it be the entire body or just the face or hands, it's NOT the same as the Polynesian tattoos. You cannot just assume that all peoples who are darker than a paper bag are one and the same. We are NOT. We are not one tribe. I have never been to Samoa. I cannot claim to know anything about their culture, but I know that it's nothing like that of the Yorubas. Please, STOP using the word TRIBAL. It's racist and continues to perpetuate ideas that are incorrect. . . #supportblackart #laolu #laolunyc #sacredartoftheori #performanceart #yoruba #NOTtribal

"if you want to be an innovator be ready to be copied" Muse @reignglobal 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

Laolu Senbanjo, featured in The New York Times

Art by Laolu

Dec 9-17

Listen to This.  LAOLU.  'All in Me.'