Taiwo Aiyedogbon

Asuwaju, the journey through revealing the woman

November 13, 2021

Asuwaju, the journey through revealing the woman is a collaborative performance which uses dance, sound and aso-ebi (family uniform) to consider aspirations of Nigerian women in relationship to past and existing heroines. Asuwaju is a popular Yoruba word for political leaders in Yoruba land.  Drawing from her research into Nigerian women leaders, Taiwo explores how national histories are written and popularized.  In Asuwaju, she uses methods of political procession and celebration dance to reconsider and rewrite these narratives to include the powerful contributions of Nigerian women leaders. 

Taiwo Aiyedogbon is a Lagos-based visual artist who explores painting, experimental drawing, sculpture, installation and performance art.  Her works often touches upon current issues related to politics and the environment in the city of Lagos. She has most recently been researching and creating conversations around women and their history in Nigeria.

Taiwo has participated in exhibitions and performances including ‘African Time Restaurant’ (Malmo, Sweden) 2015, ‘Ipele’ [phase] at the National Museum (Lagos, Nigeria) 2017, ‘Threshold’ as part of the inaugural Lagos Biennial (Lagos, Nigeria) 2017 and ‘Flip’ (Kumasi, Ghana) 2019. She graduated from the department of Fine Art at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where she majored in sculpture, 2016.