"Portrait of Shame" by Faith Omole
“18X24”
Designed by Faith Omole for the 2023 Artwork for Equity Campaign.
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“My artistic endeavors shed light on the obscured wisdom of African symbolism lost during the era of slavery. Moreover, my focus extends to the crucial issue of voting rights. Through my art, I aim to empower black women, who have endured centuries of marginalization.
Despite the monumental ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, promising universal voting rights regardless of gender, it failed to fully include black women. While it was a win, the suffrage movement still excluded racism, rendering the promise hollow for black women. Racism stayed, obstructing many women of color from voting through intimidation, suppression, and discrimination.
The apathy of numerous white suffragists towards the struggles of black women at the intersection of gender and race was a data betrayal. It is imperative to acknowledge and redress this historical injustice to forge a truly inclusive democracy.”
“18X24”
Designed by Faith Omole for the 2023 Artwork for Equity Campaign.
_
“My artistic endeavors shed light on the obscured wisdom of African symbolism lost during the era of slavery. Moreover, my focus extends to the crucial issue of voting rights. Through my art, I aim to empower black women, who have endured centuries of marginalization.
Despite the monumental ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, promising universal voting rights regardless of gender, it failed to fully include black women. While it was a win, the suffrage movement still excluded racism, rendering the promise hollow for black women. Racism stayed, obstructing many women of color from voting through intimidation, suppression, and discrimination.
The apathy of numerous white suffragists towards the struggles of black women at the intersection of gender and race was a data betrayal. It is imperative to acknowledge and redress this historical injustice to forge a truly inclusive democracy.”
“18X24”
Designed by Faith Omole for the 2023 Artwork for Equity Campaign.
_
“My artistic endeavors shed light on the obscured wisdom of African symbolism lost during the era of slavery. Moreover, my focus extends to the crucial issue of voting rights. Through my art, I aim to empower black women, who have endured centuries of marginalization.
Despite the monumental ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, promising universal voting rights regardless of gender, it failed to fully include black women. While it was a win, the suffrage movement still excluded racism, rendering the promise hollow for black women. Racism stayed, obstructing many women of color from voting through intimidation, suppression, and discrimination.
The apathy of numerous white suffragists towards the struggles of black women at the intersection of gender and race was a data betrayal. It is imperative to acknowledge and redress this historical injustice to forge a truly inclusive democracy.”
IG: @Faithomole_m
Twitter: @Omoyin_arts
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Faith Omole, a visionary self-taught artist from Lagos State, Nigeria, channels the essence of Africa through her emotive acrylic paintings and intricate mask craftsmanship. Influenced profoundly by Adinkra symbolism from Ghana, her art pays homage to African heritage—a poignant tribute to a culture facing encroaching challenges. Despite parental pressure leading her to pursue a degree in Microbiology, Faith's heart always belonged to art. Struggling to hone her painting skills while navigating academia, she graduated in 2022 and ventured to Lagos, Nigeria, to forge a professional career. Her talent has graced numerous gallery exhibitions since then. Driven by unyielding curiosity, Faith delves into the forgotten corners of African history. Her mission: uncover the genuine historical truths underscoring the African narrative, immortalizing them through her art—a means to safeguard a culture slipping away with time. Each brushstroke and intricately carved mask narrate stories spanning generations, transcending traditions to echo the resilience, struggles, and victories of a people shaping Africa's destiny. Personal tragedy infuses Faith's art, intertwining family connections and shared moments of tenderness, longing, and remembrance. Her canvas becomes a sanctuary—a vessel for solace and healing, immortalizing emotions and relationships. A color manipulation virtuoso, Faith unveils hidden forms within her canvases, engaging viewers in revelations through active exploration. Her mastery of perception, honed through Microbiology studies, adds depth to her work, revealing concealed figures that captivate observers. Faith Omole's body of work transcends time, stirring emotions, and offering fresh perspectives. It forms a bridge between reality and illusion, history and the present, grief and healing—breathing life into forgotten African wisdom, igniting a culture's transformative potential.
