...into words with Sola

By Oluwasola Kehinde Olowo-AkeArts Performing Arts

...into words with Sola episodes

December 02, 2023 Between Somewhere and Nowhere is the Sky- a gift
'Between Somewhere and Nowhere is the Sky- a gift' is a piece that was inspired by my Christmas trip to my home, Nigeria, in 2022.
The poem is a reflection on time spent with family (both nuclear and extended) but also a documentation of my way finding in life outside of home.
The poem explores the subject of belonging to a place or a people and navigating 'belonging' in a new country that is not my home. Somehow, I am yet to find that in the current place I am in.
'Somewhere' a place where I feel belonging. 'Nowhere' a place where I do not.
And belonging is not felt because at the core of belonging, for me is being connected physically to my family- the people I am from but have now left behind as I live as an immigrant in a place I feel I can never call home.
The water reminds me in its coming and going of myself and my current experience of wayfinding in my life.
'Between Somewhere and Nowhere is the Sky- a gift' is a celebration of family and the bonds that I have formed with them. It is a call to remember where I am from and a reminder that I am loved fully. As the water flows back and forth, so do our memories, bringing calmness and peace. We rely on them to flow to us and meet us again and again, to remind us that we belong 'Somewhere' and one day, we will meet there again.
Instagram: @kehindeolowoake
4 min
October 20, 2023 Lights Out (as told by Mfon)
Mfon Etim-Inyang describes himself as "your favourite heartbreak artist."
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: @etiminyangmusic
4 min
October 06, 2023 Loving from a distance (as told by Theresa)
Theresa Imegi is a story lover, youtuber, planner and a foodie 😃
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: @chatswitht
5 min
September 22, 2023 Quando Quando Quando (as told by Hector)
Hector Amiwero is an actor, performer, filmmaker and creative entrepreneur.
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: hectoramiwero
4 min
September 08, 2023 Her: for times when you doubt (as told by Sola)
Sola Olowo-Ake is a storyteller, designer, design researcher and a poet
(a.k.a me)
Instagram: @kehindeolowoake
Image taken by Ariella Horvath
3 min
August 25, 2023 Olúwatóyìn (as told by Toyin)
Toyin Olowo-Ake is a retired banker, lover of community and an amazing host.
(a.k.a mum)
Instagram: @toyino.a
3 min
August 11, 2023 'on the delimits of grids' (as told by Hélène)
Hélène Day Fraser (HDF) is a designer + researcher, thinking-making with companions
(a.k.a friend & colleague)
Instagram: @helenedayfraser
4 min
July 28, 2023 A Collection of Covers (as told by Seun)
Seun is a writer, producer, fangirl and lover of all the arts
(a.k.a older sister)
Instagram: @seun.olowoake
13 min
July 14, 2023 작은 새: little bird (as told by Jihyun)
Jihyun Park is a designer, maker, visualizer and a fun-lover
(a.k.a friend & colleague)
This poem is from Jihyun's poetry book, '해와별의 노래' (Songs of the Sky and the Star)

Instagram: @jihyun_joha

... (read the poem in Hangul with English Translations below)
작은 새- 지현 박
Little bird- Jihyun Park

내 마음의 작은 새야
My little bird in my heart

높이 날지 않아도 괜찮아
You don't have to fly high
낮은 곳에도 별을 담을 곳이 있어
Stars also exist in low places
내 마음의 작은 새야
My little bird in my heart

네가 날고 있는 낮은 곳에도
You can fly in low places
사랑과 자유의 별들을 만들게
I will make love and freedom among the stars [here]

새야, 새야
Bird, bird
높이 날려고 강해지지 않아도 괜찮아
You don’t have to become strong to fly high
높은 곳은 너무 추워
The high places are very cold
네가 날고 있는 낮은 곳에도
In low places you are flying
따뚯한 구름의 하늘을 만들게
I will make a sky with warm clouds for you

새야, 새야
Bird, bird
내 마음의 작고 이쁜 새야
My pretty little bird of my heart

너는 그저
You are just
사랑처럼, 자유처럼, 따뚯한 햇살처럼
like love, like freedom, like warm sunshine
날갯짓하는
when you're flapping
내 마음의 작고 이쁜 새야
My pretty little bird of my heart
2 min
June 30, 2023 The fight for a voice (as told by Kiitan)
Kiitan Abel-Ajala is a lawyer, singer, writer and 'poet'
(a.k.a childhood friend)
Instagram: @ooreoluwakiitan
3 min

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