Mama Nike: A Champion of African Art

Reviving Nigerian art
Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, also known as Nike Davies, Nike Twins Seven Seven, Nike Olaniyi, and simply 'Mama Nike', is a Nigerian artist, gallerist and designer of batik and adire textiles. Born in 1951 in Ogidi, Kogi State, in North-Central Nigeria, Mama Nike was brought up in an environment where traditional weaving and dyeing practices were commonplace. In 1983, seeking to keep these traditions alive, Davies-Okundaye established the Nike Centre for Art and Culture in Osogbo.

Learning the art of Adire and Ase-Oke
Mama Nike's grandmother taught her the art of ‘Adire’ textile making, dyeing, weaving, painting and embroidery. Adire, an indigo-dyed cloth, was traditionally made by Yoruba women in southwestern Nigeria and it is this tradition which Mama Nike is sustaining. Mama Nike’s artworks are not just admired for their beauty but also the symbolism in the details.

Nurturing next generation of creatives
As traditional craft practices were fading out in the country, Mama Nike began offering free training to young artists in visual, musical and performing arts. It became her mission to keep art and crafts alive, and help nurture new generations of creatives in Nigeria.

Creativity at the heart of positive change
Adire is a craft which Mama Nike has revived through her art, workshops and galleries. She has passed on her skills to over 3000 Nigerians and empowered them to make a living out of creating Adire and Ase-Oke textiles.

"I built this place as a gallery after visiting America in 1974. I saw how they run a gallery there and they encouraged me to bring something back that would benefit our people. I love having a place like this, where artists can come and be happy, and see their work on the walls. The work of the artist is the voice of the artist."
Mama Nike

"My vision is to have a place for our people. A place where everyone can see the creativity of our own country. A place to see the way we do our tie dye, the way we eat and the way we live. That is the work I really want people to see."
Mama Nike

"All our children have to come home. They have to rule this country. This country is for you people to rule. The old people are already at the departure hall!"
Mama Nike