A Nigerian artwork titled “The Three Yoruba Brothers” by Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, also known as Olaolu Slawn, has fetched a hefty £31,750 (N56 million) at a Sotheby’s auction in the UK. However, the windfall has been met with controversy.
While the artist celebrated the sale online, calling it a “350% increase from the estimate,” many Nigerians expressed outrage over the artwork’s depiction. The piece reportedly portrays three figures resembling monkeys with large lips, named Alara, Ajero, and Orangun.
Social media erupted with criticism, with viewers calling the artwork a racist caricature of the Yoruba people and disassociating themselves from its representation.
Some of the reactions to the announcement are as follows:
Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale’s work @Itzpelumi said: “It’s you and your Yoruba brothers that looks like that.”
@Barracuda1592 commented: “As a Yoruba man I feel offended by this art. It doesn’t depict anything yoruboid.”
@ololademiyusluv said: “I wonder how people spend so much on ugly arts, doesn’t make sense to me.”
@Mubxeel7373 said: “Aside from the fact that I don’t know art, what part of this is Yoruba aside from the wrapper in the background? Are you trying to tell me that Yoruba people look like apes?”
This debate highlights the complex relationship between artistic expression and cultural identity.
