Patterns of Hope

Artist

Tunde Odunlade (Nigerian, b. 1954)

Date

2008

Medium

Batik cotton, relief applique

Dimensions

Work : 5 ft. 10 in. x 42 1/2 in. (1.8 x 1.1 m)

Credit Line

Hope College Collection

Object Number

2019.57

Label

Tunde Odunlade first studied art with Yinka Adeyemi at the University of Ife in the 1970s. His practice mixes traditional craft and contemporary fine art techniques, and spans a variety of genres, including painting, printmaking and textiles. Odunlade drew inspiration for this piece from traditional Yoruba strip-woven and wax-resist textiles. By adding blocks of brightly colored fabric, he has created a basket-weave pattern that gives the textile an unexpected sense of depth and movement. Odunlade currently lives and works in Ibadan. In addition to being a visual artist, he is also a skilled flutist and political activist who campaigns against poverty and corruption.