Throughout my formal education from elementary up through college I never heard tale of African deities. A little over a month ago I began to research online to find information in regards to the gods & goddesses of Africa. To my surprise there were many, however the ones that stood out the most were the deities of Nigeria and Benin, West Africa which they referred to as ORISHAS.
This entire belief in the Orishas was directly linked to the Yoruba of the Ifa Tradition. Immediately I became inspired to do a photo series on each of the Orishas that I had recently discovered. I later learned that nothing of this magnitude had ever been done before, so it came as quite a surprise when the project went completely viral overnight. As soon as I uploaded them on Facebook they took off like wildfire through dry fields of grass and the responses were overwhelmingly abundant. Most of the feedback was phenomenal, but as always you have those who feel the need to be super critical and just plain knit picky. Overall, it has been wonderful to receive correspondence from all over the globe from men, women and children of color who have been honored to see themselves depicted in the likes of the Yoruba African Orishas. It’s also been great learning that I’ve opened people’s eyes to something that many, like myself, never knew existed.
I wanted to portray the regal beauty of each Orisha while also representing their majestic sensuality. Each iconic depiction was rendered to lend strength to our resilience as a great race of people and to show our youth that they are beautiful, bold and brilliant just they way God created them to be. Although I am aware that the Ifa Tradition traveled in the Ori “Head” of those Blacks that were captured as slaves and sent to other parts of the diaspora, I chose to focus on the true origin of the faith. Therefore each Orisha’s name is written in the Yoruba dialect and captures imagery of powerful men, women & children of various complexions who are all of African descent.
To all critics of my artwork who feel that I have misrepresented, over-sexualized, over-modernized, mis-colorized or overall disrespected the Orishas I would like to draw your attention to my favorite phrase….”INTERPRETATION…MUCH LIKE THE BIBLE IS BASED UPON THE TRANSLATOR”. There is no wrong when it comes to an artist’s creative interpretation, one must learn to become fluid with your perception and open up your mind to what the creator of the work is trying to convey. To all of my faithful supporters I would just like to say that I appreciate you more than words could ever express.
In no way, shape or form am I advocating the Ifa tradition, as I myself am not a practitioner of the faith, however I wish to shed light on our rich history in hopes that it will enlighten those who wish to dismiss our culture and heritage as merely rubbish. I am not the source of wisdom surrounding the Ifa Tradition as previously stated…I am merely the artist, however the door has been opened for you to research and learn more for yourself…Take that opportunity!
Finally…To anyone who is interested in learning more about my artwork, interviewing me for a magazine/blog writeup or live appearance, please feel free to contact my assistant/consultant Kenisha at noire3000studios@gmail.com. To anyone who is interested in purchasing these works of art, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/YorubaAfricanOrishas/app_309028460694
Written by: Photographer, James C. Lewis | CEO of Noire3000 | N3K Photo Studios | Atlanta,GA
They are beautiful and god bless your talants, keep up the good and beautiful work.
Thank you Dimary!
I’m inspired. I’ll do a bit more digging and hopefully, i can write a story. This was awesome by the way.
Thanks Count!
where can i get a poster?
Hello there…Poster can be purchased via this link:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/yoruba-african-orishas-poster-james-c-lewis.html
Thank you for your vision and talent. Your vision of the orisha is beautiful, many get caught up and think there is only one interpretation or acceptable image. However, the deeper you dig, you realize there are various avatars so to speak for each. Thank you for exposing the belief system to those who may not have otherwise been aware of it’s existence.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. YOU SHOULD BE BLESSED BUY THE ORISHAS.
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MUCHAS FELICITACIONES!!! LA MUSICA DE CUBA ME HIZO LLEGAR A DESPERTAR EL GUSTO POR LA RELIGION YORUBA Y USTED CON ESTA OBRA DE ARTE ME INSPIRA AUN MAS A JUNTAR TODO LO RELACIONADO CON MIS RAICES AFRICANAS. GRACIAS
Very well said! You did an excellent work and i know that subject quite well since I am half-Beninese.
However, i am not Yoruba but Fon, we use the word “vodun” and each deity as a different name in the Fon and Gu languages.
Thank you Yolande for that info. I just learned something new.
You have truly inspired me. I, too, had no knowledge of the African dieties/Gods. But I think it’s long overdue for their to be more black movies that explore the broader spectrum of our history. All we see is our history of slavery, poverty, gang banging or battered women and their struggle to find strength. All of which are powerful but what about our history before we came to America. Thank you for the inspiration.
Happy to hear that my work has inspired and I am humbled by your kind words. Blessings!
Great work, if possible i would like to purchase a poster or canvas of this please. I tried ordering of Facebook but it seems to be a problem, i would really want to get this for my wife.thanks Jeremiah
Jeremiah…I greatly appreciate the kind words, the site was having some technical difficulties that have been resolved. You can now visit this link to purchase your prints. Thanks! http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-cornelius-lewis.html
Your work here is awesome and quite frankly, inspiring. The detail, interpretation and creativity is just on point! God bless you!!
Adiya
Greatly appreciate the kind words & love Adiya!!!! Blessings!!!
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Had the orishas not want u to fulfil ur work they would not have inspired u to do it in the first place .may the holy orishas guide, protect and bless u in the name of olodumare.
lovely!!!!…. kudos to you … show them… show the world that Africa is rich in every aspect!
Reblogged this on The Daily 400 and commented:
Thought the artwork here was beautiful. Great inspiration for fantasy authors!
Amazingly, this interpretation of the African Orishas you did looks exactly like the ones I’ve seen in my dreams, Mr. Lewis! You got the appearances of them down to a T.
Ashé!!! I began following on Facebook you after seeing your interpretation of the Orishas. Thank you for the respect shown. Congrats on your exhibit in London.
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Lewis, i think your interpretation was beautiful, i actually had an emotional response to those images, well done.
do you sell this? I would love a poster/picture like this, beautiful
Hello Giovanna…yes I do…Feel free to click link to purchase prints: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-cornelius-lewis.html