"THE THREE YORUBA BROTHERS" BY SLAWN IS SOLD FOR £31,750 IN THE UK'S LARGEST AUCTION HOUSE

Nigerian artist Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, commonly known as Slawn, continues his spree of breaking records and cultural barriers, as his latest piece has sold for a whopping £31,750 at a Sotheby’s auction.

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Slawn has broken many boundaries for Black Brits, including being the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design a Brit award. His latest triumph came after his distinct artwork was chosen to headline Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary African Art sale. The painting in question, titled Alara, Ajero and Orangun, inspired by the myth of the ‘three Yoruba brothers’, went up for auction expecting to fetch an estimated price of £9,000, which it far exceeded. Whilst many commentators have applauded his distinct style, others have criticised it for portraying, what may be seen as, a caricaturisation of black and African features - particularly in light of the non-black clientele he has amassed. However, Slawn constantly connects his work to his heritage, in his catalogue note, he states:'I am not just Nigerian. I am Yoruba. This work is an expression of my identity.' 

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He also inscribed the reverse of the high-priced piece, with the following text:

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My Nigerian Hell,

Love Yourself Hate Myself,

Amen,

Make Sure You Always,

A Nigerian Heaven/A Nigerian Hell,

As Above, So Below.

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At just 23-years of age, Slawn's achievements in the highly elitist world of art, have been nothing short of remarkable and have shocked art buyers and sellers alike. In 2022, Slawn made his auction debut at the infamous Sothebys, one of the world's largest brokers of fine art. The piece, Bobo n Jarrad Go To Church, despite being estimated to sell for up to £7,000, sold for a much more impressive £27,720, another reminder that Slawn is not an artist to underestimate. His unique ability to cultivate and maintain his fan base using social media and personable interactions is rarely seen in this Bansky era, where it seems the more obscure an artist is the more valuable their work - Slawn has dispelled that myth.

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Whether you love his art or not, it’s certainly provocative and each piece, carefully woven with his own cultural narrative, compels people from all walks of life into some important discussions. Slawn shows no signs of slowing down his ascent through the art world and breaking barriers painting by painting.

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