Meet Omilade Adediran | Artist, Priest, Engineer & Survivalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Omilade Adediran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Omilade, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Hartford, Connecticut but my family moved to Dallas, Texas when I was 3 years old. My mother, from California6t, was active in various Black Liberation movements of the 60’s and 70’s and my father, from Louisiana had a whole other lens on our “experience” here. From as far back as I can remember, it was reiterated that our history did not start in a cotton field; we hailed from greatness. Armed with this knowledge, my parents made it a point that my brother and I engaged in cultural study, exhibits, lectures and groups. I clearly remember standing in front of a massive display at an Ancient Egyptian exhibit and feeling as though I was transported through time and space, deeply connected to the hieroglyphics in front of me. I was captivated by the symbols, colors, detail and the way they came together to form a type of rhythm. There was a deep wisdom contained in these symbols. It was as if I was looking at a piece of myself from an unknown era. It has a profound effect on the course of my life.
African culture in general and the Ifa tradition specifically, colors every part of my world so the lens from which I view things is back dropped with the knowledge of our grandness and greatness; our triumphs and trials; but most importantly, our perseverance and determination. What compels me to create as an artist is to continuously give honor to the energy of Life, Truth and Light and how it manifests in the physical form. My desire is for viewers is to be enveloped by, transfixed within, connected to, and ultimately inspired by these manifestations from my journey with Ancestors and Spirit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art was a calling, from the depths of my DNA, from centuries long ago, seemingly singing out to me. I heard the song, answered the call, and my art is that song and my Spirit, synergized and harmonizing beautifully.

I have been creating since an early age but chose to move my art from pastime to profession in 2016 after my first art show. My art is an expression of our beauty, magic and power as a people and the diverse ways we show up in the world. In each piece I have hoped to convey a purposeful vision of self-achievement, enhancement and empowerment. If aspiration and inspiration are the lasting results of my work, then I will have achieved my goals and sang my Hearts’ Song.

The shift to take my art seriously was not always easy. Shifts come with challenges and change is constant so we have to get used to dealing through challenges. One of the biggest ones for me was to turn down the outside chatter and listen, really listen, to what I needed, what would make me feel content, whole and fulfilled. My mother always says, “Do what makes your heart sing” so I would pay that forward as advice because it has benefited me greatly. There may be outside influences to what you should do, should study or should be but if you honor the things that bring you joy, you will never regret it. Be brutally honest with yourself, about who you are and who you are not. Follow the avenues that support who you are and who you are becoming. From this vantage point, I was able to carve out a life I love.

I would like the world to view my work as a diverse collection of creations, weaving together the breadth of my cultures past, present, and future with the culminating vision being to offer the viewer a new, transcendent experience.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whether you want to the turn up or turn down, Atlanta is a bustling city with so many options for entertainment, food, relaxation, You can immerse yourself fully in nature or all the city has to offer. There are so many diverse options to keep an adventurous person like myself quite occupied and pleased. There are so many places I go and immerse in but I’ll try to keep the list brief:
Outdoor fun: Atlanta Beltline, Sweetwater Creek and Cochran Mill park
Indoor fun: Andretti’s, Painted Duck, Top Golf and Flight Club
Art: Black Art in America, Densua’s African Art, Zucot Gallery, Peters Street Station
Shopping: Ponce City Market, Edgewood Retail District, Atlantic Station
Nature: Lake Allatoona, North GA Mountains, Amicola Falls
Nightlife: Castleberry Hill/Peters St., East Atlanta Village, East Point
Food: too many to name – Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, Milk & Honey, Virgils Gullah Kitchen, Nema Kitchen, Jerk Cuisine Restaurant, The Beautiful and Bole Ethiopian.
Spiritual Supplies: Yeye’s Botanica and Afrikan Djeli

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There would be no mention of success in my life if it weren’t for the people I have been blessed to know and love in this lifetime. First and foremost, my mother, the queen, who at an early age instilled in me that all things are possible and the most powerful limits are those I place on myself. Shout out to my father and brother for being my first examples of exemplary men, even in the midst of their own work and journey. Shout out to my amazing husband who consistently supports me, pushes me to my best and compliments my energy in ways I didn’t even know my Spirit needed. Shout out to my Ile family, Ile Ijo Orunmila ati Orisa who helps keep me centered, grounded and balanced. Shout out to my amazing Atlanta family who show up and provide a sense of belonging and community.

Website: https://www.obasi-originals.com

Instagram: @obasi.art

Facebook: Obasi Originals