Iya #1

By Luciano Cian

Iya means mother in Yoruba language. The Yoruba or Nagô are one of the largest ethnic-linguistic groups in West Africa. It is the second largest ethnic group in Nigeria. In Brazil, a country with 54% of the black population (majority), the Yoruba were one of the main sources of slaves for the country during the colonial period, with religious, musical and culinary influences. The syncretism of the African cult brought by the slaves with Catholicism originated the Candomblé practiced in Brazil, also known as Nagô culture.
The orixás are phenomena of nature that help men to achieve their goals. Xangô, for example, is the orixá of justice, represented by lightning and thunder.
The Yoruba also marked their influence on Brazilian cuisine, with acarajé, for example, in music, with atabaques, and in language, with words like "axé" and "olodum".
The intention of this series of paintings is to celebrate the African roots brought by the slaves who constitute, nowadays, the greatest cultural wealth in Brazil - despite historical denials and structural racism.

- Acrylic, Oil bar and marker on paper - Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308 gsm
- Certificate of Authenticicty hand sign in back