Faculty of Art
Cross-Disciplinary Art: Life Studies
Meet the Artist
Ifetayo (Ife)
Alabi
aka. n/a, Collage/Multimedia
“Ifetayo’s thesis work focuses on the TransAtlantic slave trade and its lasting effects on Black communities and marine life, particularly whales and seals. They were inspired by Alexis Pauline Gumbs' text Undrowned, which connects Black femininity and marine life. Through their research and studying of Undrowned, they learned that whales and seals were used for their blubber to fuel and speed up the processing of sugarcane, cotton, and other mass traded goods during the height of the slave trade. There is a clear connection made that Black bodies like those of whales and seals were used for profit. The parallel between the horrifying process of extraction and slavery is a frightening and painful part of our history that we cannot ignore. Ife uses the method of collaging and material research to create a focused installation work. ”
Ifetayo is a multidisciplinary artist, based out of Tkaronto, who mainly works in collage. Ife has also worked in photography, digital art, drawing, painting, and even film in their practice. Ife's practice is focused on identity, ongoing climate crisis, social justice, and intersectionality. They use collage as their chosen medium to think through and engage with complex concepts and ideas. As a Life Studies major, Ife uses research to help to guide and conceptualize ideas further.
OCAD U - Faculty of Art
Photography
Minor In progress, 2022
n/a
n/a
Minor In progress
Collage Photography