The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is set to unveil a mesmerising new exhibition by Nigerian-Canadian artist Oluseye, titled “Orí mi pé,” opening today, February 15 in the Murray Frum Gallery on Level 2, per webwire.com. This immersive installation, blending ancestral traditions with contemporary art, explores the spiritual, mythological and biographical elements that have shaped Oluseye’s worldview and artistic practice.
The exhibition, which runs through summer 2026, is free for AGO Members, Annual Passholders and Ontarians under 25.
At the heart of “Orí mi pé” is the Yoruba divination ritual known as mẹ́rìndínlógún, which uses cowrie shells to communicate with ancestors and seek guidance. Oluseye’s installation features 16 large-scale bronze cowrie shells resting atop a hand-carved wooden divination tray. The tray, intricately carved with impressions of the artist’s spiritual ancestry, serves as a bridge between the past and present, the physical and the spiritual.
“One of the tenets of my art practice is to create meaningful works that celebrate and reinforce African rituals and philosophies as living, complex, and valid traditions,” says Oluseye. “I’m thrilled to present these ideas on such a large scale at the AGO, while weaving in my personal narratives.”
The exhibition also includes a video projection inspired by Oluseye’s recent journey to Brazil, where he consulted with Iá Tologinã, a priestess in the Candomblé tradition, to discover his governing Orisha (deity). This exploration of African diasporic spirituality highlights the resilience and adaptability of Yoruba traditions, which were brought to Brazil by enslaved West Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.
Born in London, UK, in 1986, Oluseye has spent the past decade establishing himself as a leading voice in contemporary art. His work, which has been exhibited globally, from San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora to Cape Town’s Southern Guild Gallery, celebrates Blackness as divine, fluid and unfixed. “Orí mi pé” marks a significant milestone in his career, reflecting a renewed confidence in his artistic and personal journey.
“In a visual language entirely his own, Oluseye continues to sift through the material debris of the African diaspora to create work that locates himself within a larger history,” says Dr. Julie Crooks, Curator of Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora at the AGO. “This beautiful and compelling installation reminds us that the African diasporic imagination transcends time and geography.”
The public opening of “Orí mi pé” will take place today at 2 pm, featuring remarks by Oluseye and Dr. Crooks. The event is free with general admission, offering visitors a chance to engage directly with the artist and gain deeper insight into the exhibition’s themes.
The AGO’s commitment to accessibility ensures that the exhibition is available to a wide audience. Admission is always free for Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members and Annual Passholders. The gallery also extends its hours on Wednesdays and Fridays, staying open until 9 pm, and welcomes visitors every weekend from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Oluseye’s work is part of a broader movement to celebrate and preserve African diasporic traditions in contemporary art. His first public art commission, Black Ark, installed in Toronto’s Ashbridge’s Bay Park in 2022, and his upcoming tour of the Maritimes in Fall 2024, further cement his role as a cultural ambassador.
The AGO’s support for contemporary programming, including “Orí mi pé,” is made possible through the generosity of the Canada Council for the Arts and lead sponsor TD Bank Group, through The TD Ready Commitment.
The Art Gallery of Ontario, one of North America’s largest art museums, continues to expand its collection and exhibition spaces. With over 120,000 works of art, ranging from Indigenous and Canadian masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary pieces, the AGO remains a vital cultural hub in Toronto. The museum’s upcoming expansion, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, will further enhance its ability to showcase diverse and underrepresented artists.
•Featured image: Oluseye, The value of my dreams will not drown me, 2021. Bronze. Courtesy of the artist. © Oluseye.
