Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola's "No. 3 (Study)" features a vibrant patchwork of durags, creating a dynamic tapestry of colors like blues, reds, and yellows. The composition, with its gathered and hanging fabric, adds texture and movement. The artwork combines abstraction with cultural symbolism, using durags to explore themes of identity and cultural commodification. Akinbola's distinctive assemblage technique brings attention to the intersection of African and Black American cultural narratives, highlighting the complexities within. ...
Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola’s practice carries a multifaceted approach to medium and composition, wherein he combines and
contrasts varying elements of color to explore the intricacies of identity. By incorporating totemic materials, such as palm oil,
hairbrushes, and durags - a garment used in the maintenance of African hair - Akinbola delves into concerns of consumption and
commodification of Black culture. Upon closer examination of their historical and cultural significance, his works highlight these ready-
mades as embedded within a greater narrative of the complex relationship between Africa and Black America. ...
CARBON 12 was established in 2008, initiating a comprehensive, firmly global, program of institution-grade artists. Internationally active, Carbon 12 continuously introduces and promotes both established and emerging artists to the
UAE contemporary art scene, supplementing its 6-8 annual exhibitions with diverse contextual activities including
publications and talks that actively engage the public and educational institutions. The playful, organic process that
constitutes the creative production of Carbon 12’s artist base is facilitated and mirrored by its location in Al Quoz. ...
