Taking inspiration from traditional West African textile weaving as a tool of communication and statement, Olaniyi R. Akindiya AKIRASH’s “Bright Days Ahead” sculpture series resulted from the artist’s own investigation into homelessness—sitting with individuals on the streets willing to speak with him about their journeys and their experiences of devastating circumstances and dangerous conditions. AKIRASH says, “You can’t judge a book by its cover. The answers differ from one individual to another—loss of income, debt, natural disaster, illness and injury, and many suffering from mental health issues.” He created “BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD #1” with multitudes of laser cut geometric patterns meant to represent the number of homeless persons in Texas.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, AKIRASH earned a BSC in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, and went on to study Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Textile Technology, Arts and Design, Lagos. Now living and creating art in Pflugerville, Texas, AKIRASH has permanent works in the collections of Austin Bergstrom International Airport; Howson Library, Austin; Pflugerville Public Library; Roy Orr Trail, Desoto; and Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility, Austin. His works have been widely exhibited, including ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design, Bloomington, Indiana; Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; Kemp Center for the Arts, Wichita Falls; Redbud Arts Center, Houston; Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Site Gallery, The Silos at Sawyer Yards, Houston. AKIRASH has received numerous awards, grants, and fellowships that include the Commonwealth Connection Award, United Kingdom; Mid-America Arts Alliance (through National Endowment for the Arts); Pollock Krasner Foundation, New York City; and Santo Foundation, St. Louis, Missouri.