Ajọyọ̀ (The Festival) by Tiwa Topia

Ajọyọ̀ (The Festival) showcases the works of self-taught Stained glass artist , Tiwa Topia, in an intimate yet colourful celebration of stained glass & Black skin. Through this show, Tiwa aims to challenge the notion that black skin and divinity cannot coexist in the same space. With several original stained glass pieces on display, Àjọyọ̀ (The Festival) introduces dark-skinned figures into a stained-glass medium that has long overlooked them, reconfiguring public art to include African diasporic presence and thought. Opening September 4th from 6-9pm. On display through the month of September. Tiwa shares, “Stained glass, both in its traditional and contemporary forms, is a craft rarely practiced in modern times, especially within Black and POC communities. This has always surprised me, given that one of the earliest known uses of colored glass comes from the Black, Indigenous Tuareg people of the Saharan Desert. I came to glasswork at a point in my life when I had both the desire to speak and the patience to learn a meticulous, self-taught craft. My artistic goals are inseparable from my inspirations: I am moved by the histories of my people and by those whose stories have been excluded from dominant narratives. Over the past three years, my work has evolved in both technical complexity and narrative depth. I use stained glass to tell these stories, often incorporating materials like textiles and handmade papers that reflect my heritage. Through my self taught practice, I aim to share these experiences and invite others into the process. Above all, I hope to create something beautiful that resonates across boundaries; connecting us through light, history, and craft.”