Promise Abodunrin

  The Great Fela Anikulapo-Kuti once said, "I have death in my pouch, I can't die!". While Fela is no longer with us, his legacy is very much alive, passed on to his third generation in his son Femi Kuti and grandson Omorinmade Kuti. The music, activism and fire keep burning to this day. Artist: Promise Abodunrin Medium : Oil and acrylic on canvas Size : 40 x 60 inches Year : 2024

È̩yò̩ is a masquerade native to Lagos state, Nigeria. They typically come out dancing energetically in their large white robes during the È̩yò̩ festival, which is traditionally held to escort the soul of a departed traditional ruler and usher in a new one As an addition to the Afro-Futurism collection, with this piece I continue to paint interesting contrasts, creating a fusion between culture and technology, with the aim of inspiring culture preservation in a time of hyper globalization. Artist: Promise Abodunrin Media: Oil and acrylic on canvas Size: 45 x 60 inches 2024  

  Omele is a high pitch, three faced Yoruba drum that supports the gangan (talking drum). The three faces are tuned to the three Yoruba sounds (Do re mi) and used to convey messages, especially wise sayings. Omele is a high energy instrument that brings a different vibe to any music arrangement. Some Yoruba indigenes can decode messages played on the Omele. This piece is the first of my new art direction " Afro-Futurism ", building on the Son of the Soil series which creates a fusion between technological advancement and cultural richness, emphasizing on culture preservation as the world becomes more globalized via technology. Medium: Pastel and charcoal on paper Size: 24 x 30 inches 2024

  I had the privilege to paint one of the greatest men who ever lived, an epitome of resilience. The name justifies itself! Commissioned by Teroya Eason for her son an NBA star, Tari Eason Medium: Pastel on paper 24 x 30 inches 2024

  One of the most iconic captures of the greatest to ever do it, poetry in motion. MJ needs no introduction! The man who made us all believe we could fly! Medium: Pastel on Bristol paper Size: 18 x 24 inches Commissioned (2023)

All forms of life are intertwined in a beautiful symphony, from the greens of the earth to the beasts of the wild, from the crawling ants to the monsters of the ocean. We, standing tall at the apex, have been given the great task of overseeing and conservation. We can't afford to fail. Medium: Acrylic on canvas 2022  

  The Kakaki is a dramatically long musical instrument, they get up to 4 meters long! It is an African wind instrument mostly attributed to the Hausa tribe in Nigeria but found in a few other countries. The Kakaki is usually reserved for special occasions where it is played exclusively to kings and sultans. There are not many expert players. My muse for this piece is not just any Kakaki player, he plays at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, the most prestigious Yoruba king. This usually happens whenever the king makes an entrance. Medium: Graphite and charcoal on paper 2023

  The Fìlà is the star piece of a Yoruba gentleman's native outfit dating back several generations. They come in different shapes and forms and have seen many redesigns over the years. Gobi, the most popular fila style and subject of this art piece, can be styled in different ways each with its own significance. Apart from the characteristic style and identity statement it makes, Gobi is popularly used to indicate the marital status of Yoruba men. Before wedding rings became popular, Yoruba men indicated they were single by styling the Gobi to the right, and to the left to indicate they were married, especially at public gatherings. Many still practice this although significantly less than before. Artist: Promise Abodunrin Medium: Graphite and Charcoal on canvas Size: 16x20 inches 2023

His imperial majesty, Ọọ̀ni Adéyẹyè Ògúnwùsì, is the 51st Ọọ̀ni (king) of Ife; the origin land of the Yoruba people. He ascended to the throne of his forefathers in 2015 succeeding the deceased Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the 50th Ooni of Ife. The king bears the title "AROLE ODUDUWA" (Heir of Oduduwa). Oduduwa is believed to be a divine king, the first Ooni of Ile Ife. The Ooni is regarded as the most prestigious king in the Yoruba land. This artwork is a priceless piece of Yoruba history, the references were taken on a personal visit to the king and then hand drawn to perfection. Medium: Pastel on bristol paper 2023  

  The Earth is diversely composed, but I breathe life, Many living things but I’m human, the apex, Many human races but I’m African, 54 African countries but I’m Nigerian, Many Nigerian tribes but I’m Yòrùbá, Many talents given by the creator, but I create Many creatives but none does it like me, I am 1 of 1, I am Super-rare. Son Of The Soil IV: SuperRare is the 4th piece of the Son Of The Soil series, all coined from a similar inspiration. This series preaches a fusion between our individualities, including but not limited to culture, and the rapidly increasing globalization fueled by giant tech strides. Why throw away your culture and personality when it can influence whatever you do and make you stand out. The world's beauty is expressed in its diversity! And yes, that's a chewing stick, the African toothbrush. SOTS IV; SuperRare Artist: Promise Abodunrin Medium: Pastel and charcoal on paper Size: 30 x 24 inches 2023

  I can understand, but it's funny some people thought it was weed. So what then is it?  I'd assume that most Africans can tell it's a chewing stick, a natural African way to clean the mouth before there were toothbrushes, still used by many today for medicinal benefits. It's more about what it represents, however, an item of culture. This piece is a sequel to SON OF THE SOIL II, a similar artwork with the same inspiration; the need to preserve culture as technological breakthroughs accelerate globalization exponentially. The world's beauty is diversity! 2023

  Son Of The Soil II follows an art piece called Son Of The Soil, with similar inspiration. Diversity makes the world beautiful and so culture must be jealously safe guarded by all. While some items of culture and tradition can be improved on, the core values should not be totally lost as these are the things that define people groups. Sadly, modernization and globalization are slowly eradicating important items of several cultures around the world, especially languages. SOTS II is about that fusion, a perfect balance between technologically influenced education and retention of core cultural values. SOTS II comes with the option of the original physical piece for the collector. Medium: Graphite and Charcoal on paper size: 24 X 30 inches 2022

  At some point in the history of  Yorubas, this was an outfit of wealth and splendor worn only by high-society women. It was a statement of elegance and class for a long time until recently. A lot of items are put together to make this outfit including: 1) gèlè (head gear)  2) yẹ̀tí (earrings usually gold)  3) Ìlẹ̀kẹ̀ (beads)  4) bùbá (loose top) 5) Ìró (wrapper) 6) Ọ̀já (fastener, used to hold the bùbá and Ìró in place like a belt) Everything is put together with the finest and most expensive fabrics only affordable for few. This outfit was commonly worn by the Ìyálóde, a high ranking chieftain in the Yoruba society. They are representatives of women in the king's council and are also influential politically and economically. This is a piece of Yoruba history that I wanted to cement with my art, this is a piece of African heritage that should not be forgotten. Thanks for stopping by! Title : Ìyálóde Artist : Promise Abodunrin Medium : Graphite a...

  She's strong and powerful, yet soft and tender. She oozes love and affection to all who cross her path. A wonderful mother raising kings and Queens in preparation for this world of uncertainty. She builds her career and home simultaneously, giving no room for deficiencies. This art piece was inspired by my mother and all other amazing women who strike that complex balance everyday, between building their career or business and taking care of the home. A special breed of women who "put food on the table" and clean it afterwards. It's something that I feel is not appreciated enough. Through all this she maintains her beauty and glows with pride. Oh woman! Pay attention to the little details because there's a lot of them. Artist:  Promise Abodunrin Title: The Strength of Woman Medium:  Graphite and Charcoal on paper Size:  20 by 16 inches

I'm so excited to finally share this special portrait of Kendrick Lamar. I worked on this for a couple of days in November 2020. In this mixed media art piece I tried to tell Kendrick's story and depict how connected he is to his African roots. Kendrick Lamar is one of the reasons I started listening to rap, it's more than just the rhymes and beats for him. I enjoy his story telling especially on Good Kid MAAD CITY, his undiluted addressing of racism without leaving out black hypocrisy in "The Blacker The Berry" and much more! Artist:  Promise Abodunrin Title:  KING KUNTA Medium:  Graphite and Charcoal on paper Size:  25 by 20 inches

  The world's beauty is in its diversity, people travel round the world for new experiences; the cultures and traditions, the languages and architecture, the dressing and moralities, the food and geography. It would be naivety to give up your birthright, to not learn the language and ways of your people, to be unable to pass on the uniqueness of your culture to the next generation. If everyone did this, the world would gradually become a blur and lose its beauty. Yes  you're enlightened, of course you're well read, It is still not an excuse to lose your identity, to neglect the distinctive values of your people.  One of the many faults (as I see it) that inspired this piece is the inability of many citizens of colonized bilingual countries to speak their mother tongue. Though many grew up in conditions where it was difficult to learn, the attitude towards getting that knowledge when you come of age is very important. Worse still is the "boogie" attitude towards ...

Here is my portrait of Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968), a man who truly needs no introduction. Martin Luther King Jr was a black rights activist who spent his best years fighting for equality and against racism against black people. He was bold and firm in his methods yet never had a violent bone in his body. He led several people and spoke at different rallies through which he inspired many to stand and fight for their rights also. Unfortunately he was assassinated at the early age of 39 before he could witness the dreams he spoke about at length in his popular "I have a dream" speech. However his heroics would birth several little "MLKs" for generations to come, people who risked it all to fight for the rights of the common man. Thank you MLK! Artist : Promise Abodunrin Title : Martin Luther King Jr Size : 28 by 34 inches Medium : Graphite and Charcoal on Strathmore Bristol 300 paper Duration : 2 weeks Thanks for stopping by, ...

We all have those local heroes we look up to, people who may not be "popular" but that have made a solid good fortune for themselves over the years. Some of them come form the poorest of backgrounds and have had to struggle through very tough conditions to to become who they are. One of such is the man who inspired this portrait, Deacon L. E. Agofure. A man who used to walk to basic school barefooted, a man who once wore his school uniform for Christmas because it was his best outfit! A man who had no tertiary education whatsoever but now controls several successful businesses he founded! In this piece I tried to capture not just his story filled face but also some of his struggles and achievements, his businesses precisely. This man has left a strong legacy of hard work and dedication. A great model indeed!

  I'm only compelled to draw celebrities that affect my life positively with beautiful content (usually music) and Kortney's music sure gets me in the zone to draw! I decided to draw this beautiful image of him from the album cover of "Mali is", my favourite of his many albums. The lyrics in his music prove beyond a doubt that he has a beautiful soul, always touching and lifting. So here goes my charcoal potrait of the highly talented Kortney Jamaal Pollard a.k.a Mali Music. This piece posed a different challenge as it was my first time both working almost entirely with charcoals on alabaster paper, and making a full-blown portrait with the freehand technique. I can proudly say this remains one of my best so far. You best bet I was listening to Mali's music on repeat through the whole process, I tried reaching out to him so he could see it and guess what? He did! Thanks for stopping by. Muse : Mali Music Medium : Charcoal on alabaster paper...

  Officer Eunice Akinyemi has to be the most selfless person I know, she could give her heart away for someone in need. You can hardly tell that she is a highly decorated retired airforce officer because of how humble she is. She served as a nurse in the airforce and even though she is retired, she still uses her training to bless lives daily in her community especially in my church. She has always been there medically for my family since I can remember. It was almost compulsory for me to make something for her and this idea that had been cooking in my mind for a while came up, I spaced away for 7 days to get it done. She being deserving of it is an understatement. It took a lot of brainstorming and decision making before and during the process, learning on the job if you may. I'm glad it turned out great and she really appreciated it too. It was presented on the day set out to mark her 70th birthday, people flew in from different countries to witness it, wh...