Of Myth and Legend: This New Installation in Knightsbridge will Blow You Away
By
3 years ago
Artist Àsìkò was inspired by the traditional folklore tales of communities around the world
Of Myth and Legend by Àsìkò
There’s a brilliant new destination for your post-turkey festive walk this Christmas. Programme Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, into your Google Maps, and take a stroll past the brilliant new photographic installation by Nigerian artist Àsìkò.
Entitled Of Myth and Legend, the series of nine portraits was inspired by the folklore stories and traditional deities of the many multicultural communities within London, as well as the capital’s diverse fashion history.
The photos are composed of fashion-inspired imagery and collage symbolism, taking elements from different myths and legends and combining them to showcase the complexity of London’s diaspora – but also, by exploring the connections of shared stories and motifs, highlighting that we all have more in common than we think.
‘When I was young I was inspired by the stories of the heroes and mythology of my Yoruba culture,’ explains Àsìkò. ‘These cultural icons form the inspiration for Of Myth and Legend, which explores the legends of the Orisha through new interpretations of the diaspora narrative.
‘From German to Indian, African and Asian, the palette of London is wide and vast, a melting point of ethnicities and backgrounds. I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity by The Knightsbridge Estate to show this new body of work in such a prestigious and prominent address.’
The installation was commissioned by The Knightsbridge Estate, which owns this part of London, to mark the completion of seven magnificent brand-new flagship stores built behind restored façades. It’s part of the Estate’s ongoing reimagining of the area, with the development eventually providing a 67,000 sq ft office building, 33 luxury rental apartments, and a spectacular rooftop restaurant. Burberry became the first tenant to occupy one of the new stores when it opened its doors at No.1 Sloane Street in July 2021.
So next time you take a stroll towards SW1, make sure you pay a visit to Sloane Street to take in the full glory of Àsìkò’s compelling, intricate and powerful images.
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