A new art piece at the AGO looks at the spiritual side of the cowrie shell

The Nigerian Canadian artist Oluseye is looking at the spiritual side of the cowrie shell in his new work, Orí mi pé, which is a Yoruba phrase that translates to “my head is complete” or “my head is correct.” Oluseye joins Tom Power to tell us how the piece was inspired by a divination ritual using the shells, and what he learned about the practice — and himself — when he travelled to Brazil to undertake the ritual. Orí mi pé is on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario now until the end of July 2026.

Interview with Oluseye produced by Ben Edwards.