Nigerian-born Jide Aje pays homage to the goddesses of his native Yoruba culture through this mixed media composition combining traditional African motifs, ceremonial sculptures, and layers of textured pigment. Each Orisa, or deity in Yoruba religion, represents particular ideas, objects or natural phenomena. Aje’s panels are imbued with the spirit of female deities, who are believed to preside over healing, wealth, air, love, fertility, the sun and moon, and magic.
Jide Aje was educated in Nigeria and the United States. After earning a Fine Art degree from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife Nigeria, he relocated to the United States to pursue a career in the creative design field. His first show in the area was with the Redd Apple Gallery, Detroit in 2004. He is an active member of several local arts and cultural organizations. This artist’s studio is currently based in the City of Hamtramck, Michigan.