Adam

The piece a visual tribute to Yasuke but also an exploration of the complex relationships between cultures and the transformative power of acceptance and recognition.

Yasuke was a black warrior who reached the rank of samurai under the rule of Oda Nobunaga – a powerful 16th Century Japanese feudal lord who was the first of the three unifiers of Japan.

When Nobunaga bestowed the rank of samurai on Yasuke the idea of a non-Japanese samurai was something unheard of.

As the first foreign-born samurai, Yasuke fought important battles alongside Oda Nobunaga.

This piece was inspired by how cowboys, also referred to as headsmen in various parts of Africa, are categorized as violent and aggressive individuals and are often subjected to various negative stereotypes in African societies.

While it’s true that some cowboys engage in violence, the vast majority are hardworking, peaceful men who simply want to provide for their families and communities. These men are often the backbone of their society, and deserve to be celebrated and respected.