Does culture have borders, and is it ok to be a tourist?

Dennis Osadebe

“all cultures are created equally”

We love the art work of Dennis Osadebe. He’s a Nigerian mixed-media artist with a vibrant post-pop style. Osadebe’s style is a unique blend of digital processes which he uses to create canvases that are subsequently layered with acrylic paint. With his characteristic use of flattened planes and bold colours, the artist creates what he refers to as a “NEO” visual style, one that is “modern, bright, expressive and provocative”.

Away from the work he makes a big point –that there is no ‘African’ art. As he has said “What exactly is an African Artist?” Osadebe asks. “Is it someone who grew up in Lagos, with Nigerian Parents, studied in Paris and is practising in Canada?”

So, Dennis, does culture have borders, and is it ok to be a cultural tourist?

Culture does have borders yes, because it is formed by certain groups of people in different geographic locations but what is most interesting is that it is formed for as a tool for survival.

Is it ok to be a tourist? YES, this is the best nourishment for the human soul, to learn about people’s way of living and cultures and truths. Should we pick up these different cultures YES, because different groups of people have figured out different principles of life and this knowledge should be shared with each other.

I believe that all cultures are created equally. There is not culture better or worse than the other, in essence they are just different. We can quite actually take out bits and bops of different cultures and make something better.

Dennis Osadebe, A Curate's Egg
Dennis Osadebe, A Curate's Egg
Dennis Osadebe, A Curate's Egg

www.dennisosadebe.com

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