African

Ancient Mediterranean

Asian

European and American

Art since 1900

Art since 1900

The Dutchman was painted after Okediji had spent time in the United States, gaining greater insight into the daily reality of African Americans. It was inspired, in part, by Robert Hayden's poem about the Atlantic slave trade titled, Middle Passage:

Jesús, Estrella, Esperanza, Mercy:

Sails flashing to the wind like weapons,
sharks following the moans the fever and the dying;
horror the corposant and compass rose.

Middle Passage:

voyage through death
to life upon these shores.

Prominent tints of blue have dual signification. Not only is the deep Atlantic alluded to, but the pain at the root of African American blues music is also suggested. Here is the Middle Passage experienced through Yoruba eyes now opened to the deeper aspects of that passage.