Be a Good Ancestor by Abi Ighodaro

See it on the Project billboard now!

Be a Good Ancestor pays homage to the vibrant textiles of West Africa, inspired by the tradition of handwritten incantations, blessings, and messages sewn into garments.

The piece explores the role of textiles in identity and belonging, which are intimately tied to our sense of self and place in the world. By translating this into a digital work, the artwork spans the past and present, extrapolating to a future.

It also speaks to the globalised world of international travel and mass migration, where people’s identities are shaped by their heritage and their experiences in new places, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and exchange.

This work aims to translate this idea in the form of a message from the future in a contemporary Dublin setting.

Abi Ighodaro

Abi Ighodaro is a multi-disciplinary artist who works with drawing, textiles and movement, with a particular interest in presenting work in outdoor settings.  As an artist from the African Diaspora, she has a deep connection with loss and displacement, and  aims to explore these as  shared human experiences rather than a singular narrative, allowing for a richer engagement with diverse audiences. Ighodaro is inspired by West African Masquerade and textile traditions, especially their ‘holding space’ for the well-being of the community.

Find out more about this year’s Whip it Up! Flip the Deck commissions here!