A digital artist brings African cultural heritage to life by documenting ancient customs, traditions and tools, combining education and entertainment for a modern audience.
Ben Favor is an emerging digital artist with deep roots in African culture. If you call him a chronicler of past cultures, you wouldn’t be wrong as his work reflects African cultural heritage. His aim is to revive and showcase ancient traditions, customs and tools to provide educational entertainment for a modern audience.
With a background in filmmaking, directing, producing and writing, Ben has carefully focused on themes of beauty, spirituality and identity since he discovered the camera and his passion for it. He has created captivating work in group exhibitions in Nigeria, the UK and Brazil and is renowned for his work.
One of his featured works, Shuku Kurban, explores the many uses of husk in African culture as jewelry, money, and divination tools. The collection includes seven photographs of beautiful hair with intricate braids and hair styles. Works by Omidan Ayoka, Ewatomi and Awero and J. Okhai Ojeikhhere’s photographs document the enduring, yet unadorned, traditional African hairstyle. The addition of the husk gives us a modern perspective and pays homage to this cultural heritage.
Ben’s work in Awuru focuses on those with curly or wild hair, or “dada” as they are known in Nigeria. While some of the braids are unsightly, the ones the artist depicts look beautiful and attractive. While many people are now disabled, Ben can heal those he was born with, and people believe he has special spiritual powers. Nigerians believe that Dada children are spirits with special hair that is a physical manifestation of their spiritual connection. The artist reminds the viewer of this in a series.
Ben has been involved in photography during the COVID-19 lockdown, and he uses the “Serenity” technique to commemorate this time of turmoil. The main image shows a bird sitting calmly on a tree, looking out over a calm lake. But after the pandemic, is the world truly peaceful? Sadly, this is not the case when global conflicts affect the lives and livelihoods of people far from their own regions - Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, conflicts engulfing Africa, and even the rise of the far right in Europe and the United States. These are not quiet times, although artists are seeking peace in their work.
In The House of Travel: A Game of Games, Ben looks back on his childhood by describing traditional Nigerian games like Ten-Ten, Ayo, and board games like Ludo and Checkers. Ben explains the importance of these games: “Games in Nigeria are not just for fun; they are an important part of social interaction. They bring people together, foster community spirit, and serve as a way to express culture. Traditional games are preserved In contrast, modern games and video games offer young people new ways to communicate and compete, “With the development of social media and technology, these popular games often reflect the practices of African culture and our African history is in danger of disappearing. ”
The artist, who recently graduated from law school with a degree in marketing, also hopes to use his art to draw attention to a forgotten beauty spot: the head. Ben believes that society tends to emphasize the face and muscles as the standard of beauty, often neglecting the powerful story that buttocks can tell. For Ben, the back is connected to the spine and carries our body, reflecting the weight of our emotions: pain, anxiety, and resistance. He believes that people’s character can be determined by the way they walk, without even looking at their face.
“Through my art, I strive to challenge traditional notions of beauty and bring attention to the stories behind us that are often overlooked. By incorporating accessories and hair into my work, I add depth and perspective, transforming simple elements into clear expressions of beauty, identity and human nature,” she explains.
Ben’s work is ever-evolving, but his love for his African heritage is deep and unwavering. His creative story and love for his culture have led him on a fascinating and enduring journey in the art world.
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