GELE (Africans' Head Wrap): Vintage and Modern

Gele is the head piece often worn by women across Africa casually and on special occasions. I am using “GELE – Vintage and Modern” as a metaphorical image to spotlight the changes in African culture in this modern day. The art of tying Gele is one of the ever disappearing skills of African young ladies of the modern day.
As in my recent painting, looking through the window; I placed Nigeria National Theatre building at the background of this painting which is one of the noticeable landmarks in Nigeria where Gele is been worn. On the foreground is the picture of my mother on the left side of the table which is the archetypical of the vintage era when ladies took pride in their skills been able to tie their own geles literarily and figuratively; the era in which women took pride in been able to feed their family. On the opposite side is the image of a modern lady made up in my usual style of Roses and thorns dressed in modernised Africans’ wear.

Few modern Africa ladies learn the skill of tying their own Gele and cook for their family. In front of this modern Lady on the table is a tablet with Pinterest fashion page from which some African ladies choose their fashion styles. The blouse of the modern lady with too much cleavage exposed in this painting is less than half of blouses African women wore in the vintage years. The skills of tying Gele and other cultural attributes that used to be pride of African women are disappearing. “Olobe lo loko” (The way to a man’s heart is through his belly) as now becomes an old Yoruba people proverb.

This painting is an homage to the artist’s mother and to all the industrious African mothers of the vintage years. They spent quality time with their children while working to support their families. They carried their children on their backs while working on the farms or managing their trading stalls. The artist’s mum carried her child on her back and on her head is the tray of fabrics she sells from door to door to provide for her family.

It is great that modern African ladies could boast of having billions of followers and likes on social media but the only sincere followers and likes that really count are those of the members of their families. Modern African women, you can be virtuous women. Embrace the modern trends but don’t neglect the rich virtues of African heritage.

This painting was done with oil paint on canvas.

I created this painting to repudiate the stereotypical images of Africa and Africans that some western people like to show to the world; images of poverty, starving children and wars. With this painting, I am showing the affluence side of African people. I am also showing the negative effects of social media and modern trend on the rich heritage culture and fashion on African people.