Of Movement, Materials and Methods

'Of Movement, Materials and Methods' is inspired by the rich pageantry of the Ojude Oba festival. Held annually in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, the festival celebrates Yoruba heritage and honours the Awujale, the paramount ruler of the Ijebu people. Known for its equestrian processions, resplendent attire, and communal traditions, Ojude Oba is a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and continuity. For Fadugba, it becomes both subject and starting point—a site of gesture, history, and living tradition. Her latest work marks a shift in her practice: from water to land, solitary swimmers to collective choreography, offering a personal yet expansive reflection on heritage and transformation.

Fadugba translates the festival’s essence onto canvas using her signature mixed media approach—gold leaf, layered textures, and a palette as vibrant as the festival itself. Traditional Nigerian motifs intertwine with the compositional influence of Islamic miniature painting. Shimmering hues of coral, magenta, and bronze evoke Ojude Oba’s electrifying atmosphere. Visible pencil strokes, shading, and unfinished elements preserve the raw creative process, echoing both the evolving nature of the festival and her inquiry into cultural memory.

The series also introduces Fadugba’s expanded beading practice, continuing her focus on materiality, memory, and community. Beyond embellishment, beading becomes a method of engagement—reflecting heritage, generational knowledge, and the role of artisanal craft in sustaining local economies. Through intricate detailing and layered surfaces, her works capture the rhythm of the drumming, the choreography of the riders, and the brilliance of the attire, inviting viewers into a space where cultural inheritance is not static but a flowing stream of story, ceremony, and renewal.

Of Movement, Materials and Methods honours the festival’s profound significance while offering a contemplative gesture toward the evolving role of tradition, community, and cultural memory in a world in motion.