Faustin Adeniran is a contemporary artist from Lagos, Nigeria working in New Haven, Connecticut. For the past ten years, his work has been to re-imagine materials that would otherwise be considered trash or recyclable.
Through extensive historical research and deep observation of cultural trends, his work takes a critical view of social and political issues. Faustin's art series reflect elements of the communities he encounters.
His vision is to encourage, educate, and inspire positive social impact through his artworks.
“If you want to learn about a society, look at what it throws away.”
Faustin Adeniran employs aluminum cans and other found materials to create three-dimensional works that defy categorization. Embedded in his works are references to Yoruba, broader Nigerian culture, racial and tribal conflict, and the complicated history of African colonialism.
Part mosaic, part assemblage, Faustin’s works feature fields of dazzling color crafted from an array of cans cut into strips and lozenges to mourn the loss of traditional African cultural practices through the gradual adaptation of Western influence—what Adeniran describes as ‘transcendent assimilation.’
Ultimately, Adeniran’s work is about hope and beauty, his love and appreciation for traditional cultures, and the collective loss that occurs when those cultural practices are discarded. We would do well to consider his adage, “If you want to learn about a society, look at what it throws away.”
-Kristen Erickson
Faustin Adeniran on Instagram
