Liam & the Priestess (2002)
18w x 24h (in)

Artist's Note:
When Liam was 4 days old, Olakunle, a Yoruba Priestess, came to meet him before the naming ceremony. They hit it off from the start, being absorbed in each other’s world. I was totally amazed at the connection they had established. This is in honor of the connection between the new and the ancient. This is also in honor of the naming ceremony.

Liam's Note:
The US government learned my name on my birth certificate, the day I was born. I was only officially given my name on my seventh day, at my Isomoloruko. My family is not Yoruba. "But we went to Olakunle to provide spiritual guidance and protection throughout the pregnancy," says my mom. "This is what happened, and you were there." I don't remember, of course, but it's good that I have the stories, and it's very good to have my dad's view of it here. Olakunle still practices as a Yoruba priestess in Wilmington.