Ebitenyefa Baralaye: Making Space: Tracing Tomorrow

Friedman Benda presents a new solo exhibition by the Detroit-based sculptor, ceramicist, and educator Ebitenyefa Baralaye, opening February 15. The Nigerian-born artist draws inspiration from his time growing up in Antigua, and reflects upon his dynamic work as “markers of identity, place, state, and the fluid dynamics around them.” Baralaye refers to the evolving Black diaspora through three bodies of work: a sculptural portrait series of intuition and individuality evoking the 19th century poetic jars of enslaved potter-poet David Drake; “finial” forms and vessels of storytelling inspired by wood sculptor Olowe of Isle of the Yoruba people; and totems which creatively illustrate “the psychological agency of objects that project manifestations of identity and desire…” says the artist.