Móyòsóré Martins on Vulnerability, Ego, and Returning to Nigeria

Móyòsóré Martins, a painter from Nigeria, is among the featured artists at the Republic of Sierra Leone Pavilion during the 61st La Biennale di Venezia. Titled Worlds of Today, the pavilion showcases talents from Sierra Leone and the ECOWAS region. Martins showcases two significant pieces: Feed the Machine and The Ego, which delve into themes of consciousness, vulnerability, and personal growth. He regards his artwork as messages from a higher power, stressing the importance of personal transformation to achieve artistic excellence. Constructed with oil paint, wax, and pigment sticks, Feed the Machine symbolizes the struggle to nourish the ego while transcending it. The Ego reflects a personal experience of ego dissolution that led to a renewed artistic identity. Residing in New York, Martins frequently visits Nigeria, a practice he finds spiritually grounding. He believes that migration enriches an artist's perspective and advocates for stronger connections in African art based on mutual respect. For him, his artistic journey is a mission centered on genuine dialogue and studio interactions.