Muse & Museums' Monthly Musings: April 2025
Written by Zuviel Naazie and Shadio Hussein
Bringing Yoruba Floral Traditions to Life
Last month, Studio Ododo captivated visitors at It's OK* Studios with an immersive installation that celebrated the beauty of Yoruba floral traditions. Drawing inspiration from celebrated African photographers such as Seydou Keïta, Malick Sidibé, and Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou, the installation recreated a vibrant West African photo studio. It featured a boldly patterned backdrop, archival photographs, vintage-inspired props, and intricately arranged floral compositions, all highlighting the cultural significance of flowers in Yoruba customs, spirituality, and everyday life.
The floral arrangements, created by Anjeola Salami, merged traditional Yoruba botanical symbolism with contemporary floral artistry. Through vivid colours, dynamic forms, and diverse textures, the arrangements emphasized the deep-rooted connection between Yoruba people and nature. The installation examined Yoruba floral practices as a vital form of cultural documentation, preserving their role in ritual, adornment, and storytelling across generations. It reimagined a space where personal history and collective memory intertwined through striking floral arrangements and archival imagery.
The archival photographs that were on display came from the personal collections of Shadio Hussein and Anjeola Salami, capturing intimate family moments and illustrating the interplay of culture and florals in the art of documentation. These images enriched Studio Ododo with layers of historical and cultural depth, deepening its exploration of memory, identity, and preservation.
Visitors were invited to interact with the space, take photos, and become part of the living narrative that was Studio Ododo. The installation ran from March 8 to March 16, 2025, and was a companion piece to Yoruba Floral Practices: A Floral Arrangement Workshop led by Anjeola Salami, founder of AnjBlooms.
Installation view of “Studio Ododo,” Curated by Muse & Museums at It’s OK* Studios from March 8, 2025, to March 16, 20225. Image by Shadio Hussein.
In the workshop, participants explored Yoruba floral traditions, gaining insight into Anjeola’s research methods and creative process while crafting their own floral arrangements inspired by Yoruba motifs and traditions. They had the opportunity to handpick florals, personalize their designs, and take home a one-of-a-kind creation.
The workshop sold out quickly, and it was a joy to share this experience with so many. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
Workshop view of “Studio Ododo,” Curated by Muse & Museums at It’s OK* Studios on March 8, 2025. Image by Shadio Hussein.
This Month’s Muse: Ekene Emeka-Maduka
Ekene Emeka-Maduka is a Nigerian-born artist based in Winnipeg whose evolving interdisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, film, and community-based art. Her work is deeply rooted in the emotional and psychological states associated with the splintered identities that often accompany migrant experiences. Although her art is drawn from her own fragmentary memories and personal events, it is always inextricably linked to broader historical, cultural, and social contexts, making her pieces resonate on both an intimate and global scale.
Maduka’s artistic journey began with a BFA Hons. from the University of Manitoba. Over the years, her work has garnered international recognition, with exhibitions and screenings both locally and globally. She is represented by Fabienne Levy Gallery (Switzerland), and her work is part of the permanent collection at The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL). In 2024, she received the Royal Bank of Canada ON THE RISE Award from the Winnipeg Arts Council, recognizing her exceptional promise as an emerging artist.
Her growing reputation has led to participation in high-profile exhibitions, including Self-Addressed, a landmark show curated by Kehinde Wiley at Jeffrey Deitch Los Angeles. In 2017, she received an artist start-up grant from Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ Dean Collection, and her debut solo show at 1-54 London was selected by Christie’s Auction House for an extended exhibition.
Known for her vivid portraits, Maduka's work intricately explores themes of identity, culture, and self-representation. She blends hyperrealistic figures with surreal backgrounds, creating a compelling dialogue between realism and abstraction. Her use of vibrant colours and meticulous detail reflects the complexities of gender, culture, and the fluid nature of personal narratives. By integrating traditional African motifs with contemporary visual language, Maduka creates powerful works that bridge the past and present, inviting viewers into a dynamic exploration of identity and belonging.
Ekene Emeka Maduka, Entrance view Fabienne Levy: A Resting Place For Worries: Shortcomings of a Warm Tight Hug, 2023. Image by Neige Sanchez.
Upcoming Events & Exhibitions: Don’t Miss These!
On view: April 10, 2025 – April 20, 2025
Emmanuel Osahor: To dream of other places
On view: April 11, 2025 – September 14, 2025
On view: April 17, 2025 – August 3, 2025
Screening: April 24, 2025, from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Grant Calendar: What’s Coming Up?
Visual Artists Creation Projects
Deadlines: May 1 and November 5, 2025
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Next month, we are planning to continue our art activations with a vibrant African Textile Collage Workshop at It's OK* Studios on May 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
Led by Apanaki Temitayo M, this hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of textile art and collage. You'll have the chance to experiment with African textiles and fabrics on canvas, explore how colours and patterns enhance your artwork, and get comfortable using a variety of tools to bring your creative vision to life. Come mingle with like-minded creatives in a welcoming space!
All supplies, along with light refreshments, will be provided. We hope you can join us!
Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting Muse & Museums.
Stay tuned for more updates next month!
All the best,
The Muse & Museums Team