Lasisi Richard Olagunju, an artist, lecturer at the Federal College of Education in Nigeria and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presents a remarkable beaded artwork titled "Jarius’ Daughter Raised from the Dead". In this piece, he depicts Jesus Christ with distinctly African facial features and adorns Him in traditional Yoruba clothing meant for royalty. The Yoruba clothing, called "aso oke" and with the color "alari", holds great significance among the Yoruba people as the highest and most honored woven fabric.

Uniting African Heritage and Spiritual Themes in Art

African Identity in Art

Olagunju's art journey began at 10 years old when he learned to carve Yoruba effigies. This early experience laid the foundation for his subsequent creation of beaded artwork. By incorporating African elements into his pieces, he aims to represent himself and his culture. As he explains, "As an African from Nigeria, I like my figures to be of me – to be African."His work showcases the importance of cultural heritage and how it can be expressed through art. It serves as a reminder of the rich traditions and values that shape our identities.

Combining Cultures in Art

Vaimiti Colombani, a Tahitian senior and visual arts major, also embraces cultural elements in her art. She enjoys combining traditionally Western mediums like oil and acrylic paints with her Tahitian and Marquesan backgrounds. For example, she painted herself and carved Marquesan symbols on a foam board, which represents her husband's side. This shows how cultures can merge and create something new and unique.Culture is not static but constantly evolving and influenced by other cultures. Just like Baybayin, the ancient script of Tagalog, has roots in South Asian Brahmic scripts and has changed over time. Colombani hopes to help Baybayin adapt and become more widely used, as it is an important part of Filipino culture.

Spirituality in Art

Olagunju compares art to Christ's parables and believes that art contains embedded truths. Through time and study, viewers can develop a deeper understanding of complex and symbolic art pieces. In his "Jarius’ Daughter Raised from the Dead" artwork, he uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings. For instance, the lack of light around Jairus' daughter and the surrounding glory around Jesus Christ highlight the contrast and the power of healing.He feels that art and religion are closely intertwined and cannot be completely separated. Art has the power to connect viewers and help them understand and appreciate different aspects of life.Colombani views her artistic skills as a gift from God and expresses gratitude for them. Painting has helped her see the beauty in the world and connect with God. She believes that everyone is beautiful in their own way and that art allows us to appreciate these unique features.In conclusion, these artists demonstrate how culture, spirituality and art can come together to create powerful and meaningful works. Their stories inspire us to embrace our own cultures and use art as a means of expression and connection.