“Òkhùo”, Taiye Idahor’s exhibition currently on view at Tyburn Gallery translates to ‘Woman’ in Bini, a language spoken in Benin City, Nigeria. Through the history and iconography of the old Benin Empire and the iconic figure of the Iyoba, mother of the king in Benin, Idahor reflects on women and power in history and the absence of women in positions of power now. “Like the king and high-ranking chiefs, the Iyoba’s traditional regalia involves an elaborate ensemble of coral beads. Ivie, the name of the series presented in the exhibition, can be translated as ‘beads’ or ‘beauty’. These beads have become a symbolic representation of women’s authority and influence, and yet their aesthetic is casually evoked by many modern brides in Nigeria, often using inexpensive plastic beads instead of real coral.” The exhibition is on view at Tyburn Gallery, London till May 9 2018.
Image captions and credit (L-R): Installation view 1-4 Taiye Idahor, Òkhùo, exhibition view, Tyburn Gallery / Taiye Idahor, Oghogho, 2017, photo paper collage, pen drawing and colour pencil on paper. Copyright the artist, courtesy Tyburn Gallery / Taiye Idahor, Osayi, 2017, photo collage, pen drawing and colour pencil on paper. Copyright the artist, courtesy Tyburn Gallery/ Taiye Idahor, Ivie, 2014-17, laser print collage and pen drawing on tracing paper. Copyright the artist, courtesy Tyburn Gallery / Taiye Idahor, Imaria, 2017, photo paper collage, pen drawing and colour pencil on paper. Copyright the artist, courtesy Tyburn Gallery / Taiye Idahor, Obosa, 2017, photo paper collage, pen drawing and colour pencil on paper. Copyright the artist, courtesy Tyburn Gallery.
