In addition to celebrating the musical accomplishments of African artists, it also implements visual art within the exhibition by other prominent African visual artists, in order showcase the diversity of talents within Africa. LAOLU SENBANJO is one of the featured artists in this exhibition, and his work will be on display at the GRAMMY Museum from June 24th to Fall 2016. The exhibition will also feature work done by GRAMMY Winner Angelique Kidjo from Benin, Nigerian singer/songwriter Sir Victor Uwaifo, and will display handwritten lyrics, costumes and rare instruments.
LAOLU was born and raised in Ilorin, Nigeria to Yoruba parents and is based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a visual artist, musician, Human Rights lawyer and activist. His motto is, “Everything is my Canvas” and takes it to heart. He puts his mark on everything from canvas, to shoes, to walls and building, to clothing and even the body with his Sacred Art of the Ori. There is no separating LAOLU from his Yoruba heritage, it is ever present in all his work. A strong advocate of holding onto your culture and spreading its glory, he finds a way to marry his modern detail and ornate style with his Yoruba heritage by being one of the leaders in the Afrofuturism movement. His preferred medium is charcoal because it’s something as natural as life and death, and he also likes to use acrylics and inks. His Sacred Art of the Ori was premiered in Beyonce’s Lemonade, and was named “Master of air” in his Nike collaboration. In addition to all of these accomplishments, he was also part of the Equinox Fitness’ “#Committed” campaign. LAOLU has been featured on CNN, Vogue, Huffington Post, ABC, FOX, BBC, Elle and more. (For more information, visit www.laolu.nyc)
