Dotun Popoola transforms scrap metal into striking symbols of African beauty – Photos

Award-winning Nigerian sculptor Dotun Popoola transforms scrap metal into striking symbols of Black beauty and environmental activism. His 12-foot sculpture “Irinkemi Asake” was unveiled at Alabama’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park for Juneteenth. A tribute to resilience, his work demonstrates that art can both heal and inspire.

“Irinkemi Asake” is a 12-foot-tall, 882-pound piece depicting the decorated head and neck of an African woman, made from scrap metal, galvanized pipes, automobile parts, stainless steel, and wrought iron. The piece is being shipped to the Legacy Museum, in Alabama, which explores the history and legacy of slavery in America.