Osato Adeniyi

Lost Treasure

“Black Wall Street” is a reflection on the resilience, brilliance, and untapped potential of Black and African communities. Loosely inspired by the historic Tulsa, Oklahoma community—once a thriving center of Black enterprise and culture before its destruction in the 1921 massacre—this work grapples with the duality of what was and what could have been.Through this series, I imagine a world where Black and African communities were allowed to flourish without interruption—free from the weight of systemic violence, colonial disruption, and economic suppression. It is both a celebration and a mourning: a tribute to cultural strength, self-determination, and innovation, juxtaposed with the grief of loss—of lives, legacies, and futures stolen.This work seeks to honor that history, reclaim the narrative, and hold space for both collective memory and creative reimagining.

“1. Lost Treasures
An exploration of cultural artifacts and national treasures taken during colonial expansion, highlighting the ongoing impact on the heritage of formerly colonized communities.”