OBAYIFO
For this project, my initial goal was to find a new way to use Bogolan, the national fabric of Mali. Because of its high value in the culture, this fabric was traditionally offered as a gift or worn by either the royal family or a group of people called hunters.
As a kid, Blade (Marvel) was the first black superhero that I was introduced to. His character really changed my perspective on the black identity. It was the first time I saw a black man who did not fit into any boxes; the whole movie, plus the techno soundtrack, had a lasting effect on me and my art.
Reflecting on that movie, I asked myself: -What would a West-African vampire look like? And this was the starting point of my project. I dug into mythology and made the link with the Obayifo, a vampire/witch-like creature that shapeshifts to hunt humans.
This made me think about how people who come from a multi-cultural background always have to transform into different
versions of themselves depending on the social context. Just like the Obayifo, minority ethnic groups need to conceal their true identity to be able to live within Western society.
Credits:
Creative Direction:
@5oumaila
Photographer:
@__loranger
Stylist:
@matybleu
MUA:
@facebygavrlexart
Assistant:
@joypvrty
Model:
@mrayissi 
