Topologies (of Being)

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In “Topologies (of Being), Osaji explores the human form by breaking it apart and putting it back together.

“Topologies (of Being)” draws inspiration from African ritual masks. Unlike a typical mask that serves to conceal the wearer, the ritual mask possesses them revealing their purpose and connecting them to something greater. In that moment, the wearer becomes a vessel for the will of the ancestors and the spirit of the community.

The masks which are typically made of wood are used in sacred rituals to honor ancestors and invoke spirits who bring blessings to the land. The masks are also used during burials, initiations, and special festivals. In Igbo culture, masked performers/masquerades belonging to secret societies are traditionally called “Mmanwu” which means “Spirit of The Dead”, this reflects the role of these maskers in personifying the spirits and ancestors of the Igbo people. Among the Yoruba people of West Africa, the ritual masks are employed to commune with deities, pay tribute to the mystical great mothers and the women of the community, and receive guidance from the ancestors of Yoruba society.

Grounded in this, the charcoal compositions evoke a sense of the familiar but distant while prioritizing form and texture with a surreal sensibility.