ITAN MI: My Story
Exhibition by Akirash at the Vermont Studio Center
“Word, they say, is like an egg, which if it falls out of individual mouth breaks, splits, scatters and can’t be replaced, arranged, or put together as complete again.”
Olaniyi Rasheed Akindiya, known as Akirash from Ghana, will be exhibiting work in the Red Mill Gallery at the Vermont Studio Center from April 14 to 17. His exhibit will include a performance that includes the body, drumming, and comedy at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 16. Also on display will be installation and sculpture created over his month long residency at the Vermont Studio Center.
Akirash’s work is based in the multi media explorations of environment and material. His sculptural work at the Vermont Studio Center includes a fascination with paper and cardboard. His ability to manipulate the structure and form of these very basic materials emphasizes the audience’s experience of being transported into a realm outside of the snowy mountains of Vermont. His pieces become abstract creatures and objects.
Additionally, Akirash has continued a three-year project while in residence of observing signs, symbols, proverbs and prose and the relationship of how they are used today and in the past. Akirash then combines these symbols with face and body paint on willing participants.The opening will begin with the performance at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 16. The artist requests that those attending the opening wear a black and white outfit to blend with his use of materials and enhance the performance.
Akirash was born in Nigeria and lives and works in Austin, Texas and Accra, Ghana. Akirash began as a scientist studying bio-chemistry before he actualized his calling as an artist.
