ROOTS &
FLOWERS.
“Culture is a living tree: rooted in deep ancestral memory, yet bearing blossoms that adapt to modern light.”
Àṣà (the Yoruba word for Culture) is an artistic collective founded by Subomi, Shola, and Ahanavi. We explore identity, memory, and heritage across visual art, documentary media, and poetry.
Three Disciplines
01. Visual Arts • Subomi
02. Documentary • Shola
03. Poetry • Ahanavi
Community as a Solution to Divisiveness
Àṣà is founded on the Yoruba belief that true culture is a living communion. We explore identity through visual art, documentary media, and poetry.
Preserving Sacred Lineage
Safeguarding Yoruba storytelling, traditions, and resilience passed down through generations.
Challenging Divisive Customs
Evaluating outdated customs and divisions to foster empathy, understanding, and fellowship in a contemporary world.
Community as a Solution to Divisiveness.
“Culture is a living tree: rooted in deep memory, yet bearing blossoms that adapt to modern light.”
Àṣà Collective
Digital Canvas • Documentary • Poetry
Three Voices, One Vision
Individual Portfolios & Practice
Subomi
moniker: “Anti-shade”
“Art is community. I share my findings from exploring the self with the hope that others are inspired to share theirs.”
Socio-political digital paintings exploring race, migration, and personal identity.
Shola
aka “Sholisco”
“Through video production and storytelling, I aim to create work that connects, informs, and inspires audiences around community impact.”
Documentary storytelling, video production, and direct outreach initiatives connecting youth and culture.
Ahanavi
pen name: “Navi”
“My poems examine the emotions under murky waters of falling in love, growing up Nigerian, and my experience as an immigrant in their 20s.”
Cadenced poetry, cultural journalism in The Griff, and narrative film examining immigrant life in Canada.
Roots & Flowers
Roots & Flowers explores individual and collective cultural identities. It invites conversations around safeguarding heritage while challenging customs that divide us.
Critically explore cultural and inherited identities.
Foster community dialogue on safeguarding heritage while challenging divisive customs.
Bridge visual art, poetry, and documentary filmmaking.
Connect ancestral memory with contemporary perspectives.
Questions & Answers
What does Àṣà mean?
Àṣà is the Yoruba word for 'Culture'. Our collective was established to celebrate our heritage while challenging customs that divide us.
Who are the members of Àṣà?
The collective is founded by three Nigerian creators based in Canada: Subomi (Anti-shade), Shola (Sholisco), and Ahanavi (Navi).
What is 'Roots & Flowers'?
'Roots & Flowers' is an exhibition by Àṣà combining digital painting, documentary video, and poetry to explore cultural roots and personal identity.