Àsìkò is a conceptual photographer whose practice is anchored by the interpolation of his emotional experiences as a Nigerian born (and raised) British citizen, into a life-long, cultural and spiritual exploration of his Yoruba heritage. His work is motivated by a drive for greater self-awareness, authentic creative expression and therefore the development of a visual language that articulates new ways to understand the liberatory possibilities of African diasporic identity. It is constructed in the narrative that straddles between fantasy and reality as a response to his experiences of identity, culture and heritage.
As such Asiko’s work is aspirational. His images seek to instigate public conversations with the audience that can help to negotiate some of the ethical contradictions inherent within modern permutations of Yoruba culture. This is because they are grounded in a wider commitment to faithfully honour and enrich the relevance of this vast and – as yet poorly understood – knowledge system and philosophy to contemporary global society. He achieves this by employing an intrinsically sensual and feminist approach that centres the body as the subject through which he generates ideas about gendered power dynamics and violence, the limits of femininity and masculinity, spirtuality and beauty, our relationship to nature and ultimately belonging.
Àsìkòs first solo show entitled ‘The Adorned Series’ was shown at Rele gallery in Nigeria in 2016. A thematic celebration of African heritage; the work explored womanhood and its intersection with culture and adornment through the use of jewellery. His second solo show at the Gallery of African Art in London 2018 entitled ‘Conversations’explored the space of women in African patriarchy cultural structures through the lens of gender violence.
Àsìkò work has also been exhibited at the ‘SeeMe takes The Armoury’ in New York, The NOW Gallery and the Old Truman Brewery in London. ‘Layers’, one of Àsìkòs collaborative works, was exhibited at the South Bank in London and featured on the BBC and Huffington Post. The work explored womanhood and ageing in our current cultural climate.
In addition, his work has been featured on the Guardian, CNN and The BBC. His new body of work ‘New World Giants’ is currently on show at the Gagosian Gallery in London and his previous series ‘Of Myth and Legend’ is currently a public art installation on Sloane street in central London.
