“Father In Time”: Articulating The Transformation In Culture and Tradition
In modern societies, people carry their identification cards in their pockets or wallets. Among the Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria, however, lineage identification marks are etched into people’s faces.
Although the reasons for wearing facial marks are evident, there are recent studies that shows people who want their facial marks removed, because the scars constitute an embarrassment. It is somewhat evident today that the tradition is gradually becoming eroded, due to modernization.
This highlights an integral part of our social existence. How does the Art we create reflect growth? We are in a constant state of transformation. Our lives continue to shift and evolve with every season, and the work we make tends to mirror these changes. I believe Art is a reflection of the lives we live, and often serves as a deeper extension of ourselves.
By creating this piece, I hope to bring about awareness by communicating our transformative states of being through the use of a visual language that we all understand.
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HOW IT RELATES TO THE THEME: “ART IN TRANSFORMATION”
“Mother In Time” is an effort to highlight the social discourse around Facial Scarifications. It explores the social construct around the topic of Beauty, Identification, Cultural transformation and revival of heritage.
My vision for this piece is to visually illustrate the underlying essence of this practice as it blurs the line between culture and Identity. It seeks to inspire and exude confidence in our Tradition.
This kind of appropriation can be used to raise our moral consciousness by aligning traditional imagery and cultural narrative alongside contemporary ideas and opinions in order to challenge and reshape perception and bring about meaningful conversations.
As the viewer looks at the painting, they feel a sense of pride and connection to their own cultural heritage. The man’s strong, confident posture and the touch of color is intended to evoke a sense of empowerment and feeling of longing for those who have lost touch with their cultural roots. The intricate patterns and designs around the face serve as a reminder of the beauty and richness of cultural tradition around facial scarification that have been lost or forgotten.
Overall, “Father In Time” is a powerful piece of art that celebrates culture and identity. This piece is part of The Puzzle Series Collection.
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CULTURE AND IDENTITY: THE CONTRAST AND SIMILARITIES
Culture and identity are often used interchangeably, but they refer to slightly different concepts.
Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a group or society. It includes the languages, rituals, traditions, and norms that are passed down from one generation to the next. Culture is typically learned and acquired through socialization, and it shapes an individual’s worldview and behaviors.
Identity, on the other hand, refers to an individual’s sense of self and the characteristics that make them unique. It includes their personal values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as their cultural and social backgrounds. Identity is formed through an individual’s experiences and interactions with the world around them, and it shapes how they see themselves and how they are perceived by others.
One key difference between culture and identity is that culture is generally seen as more fixed and collective, while identity is more fluid and individual. Culture is typically shared by a group of people and passed down from one generation to the next, while identity is unique to each individual and can change over time.
Another difference is that culture is often tied to geographic and social groups, while identity is more personal and can be shaped by a wide range of factors, including an individual’s personal experiences, beliefs, and values.
Overall, culture and identity are closely related but distinct concepts that shape and influence an individual’s sense of self and their place in the world.
