USA / 2022 / 4mins / Dance / Yoruba

Ààrẹ is a movement and dance performance piece that serves as archival preservation of cultural heritage and a symbolic representation of personal identity in a commemorative manner. Ààrẹ also includes the study of ewi (poems), oriki (panegyric), and the recitations of the late Adebayo Faleti in Tunde Kelani movies, among other Yoruba relevancies.

Taoheed Bayo

Taoheed Bayo is a 25-year-old movement director, nomad, and director hailing from Lagos, Nigeria and currently residing in the United States. As an immigrant, he has come to recognize the prevailing bystander's perspective often applied to the tales of his community and is determined to transform this narrative by allowing immigrants to tell their own stories. In his artistic pursuits, Taoheed's focus lies in illuminating Black stories, reflecting an extension of his very being. Through his art, he discovers a profound sense of liberation and an opportunity to explore the world around him. It also serves as an expression of his commitment to humanity, embracing novel ideas and concepts while celebrating the universal essence of freedom.

Dance is a language that Taoheed speaks fluently, surpassed only by his native tongue of Yoruba and the English language. Within the realm of dance, he finds a boundless platform devoid of barriers and judgments, allowing him to experience true freedom. Through his dance, he brings to life an identity that is uniquely born through movement, telling the stories of his migration from Nigeria to the United States alongside his family and his nomadic journey. These artistic expressions mirror the journey of his life, encompassing years of adaptation, assimilation, and the pursuit of happiness and better opportunities.

As an artist, Taoheed takes on the crucial role of a culture bearer, engaging communities in their creative endeavors, and contributing to the celebration and preservation of culture. Learn More

Mark Odumuyiwa

Mark Odumuyiwa, formerly known as Mark Khan, is a Nigerian-American portrait photographer and creative director whose artistic journey delves into the realm of storytelling and conceptual exploration. With a focus on the Black gaze, masculinity, the African diaspora, family, and race, he seeks to challenge prevailing notions and introduce fresh narratives. This endeavor is greatly influenced by his unique Nigerian/American background, which serves as a rich source of inspiration.

In addition to his conceptual and storytelling pieces, Mark's portfolio includes fashion photography, where he endeavors to redefine standards of beauty by featuring non-traditional faces. Through his lens, he strives to showcase a diverse and inclusive perspective of beauty that defies conventional norms.

Mark's passion for creative expression led him to establish his clothing brand, Universal Rejects, in 2019. Through this platform, he merges fashion and storytelling, effectively bringing the captivating stories of the African diaspora to life through clothing. These stories hold a profound significance to Mark, and he is dedicated to sharing them with the world through his artistry and the garments he creates. Learn More