Artist: Olu Amoda
Work Title: Street Vendor – Monsura Agbo I, 2019
Attribute: In Amoda’s work, he uses symbols of real people to create a mix of storytelling, repurposing scraps of metal to convey these stories. To some, this sculpture may simply seem like an expression of Amoda’s fascination with a street seller desperate to make sales. However, to me, this work represents much more. It symbolizes sacrifice and resilience in the midst of a discouraging atmosphere. In the Nigerian economy, resources such as water and food are becoming increasingly scarce, and the seller’s desperation to make sales in this environment symbolizes resilience. This is a motivating factor I would like to explore in my own work.
I want to incorporate my understanding of the angle at which the head is positioned into my own piece. The downward-facing head reflects the discouragement caused by the circumstances, yet the balance of the items on the head continues to convey the notion of resilience. This is a theme I wish to carry through in my own project.
