...into words with Sola
By Oluwasola Kehinde Olowo-Ake
...into words with SolaAug 28, 2021
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
Lights Out (as told by Mfon)
Mfon Etim-Inyang describes himself as "your favourite heartbreak artist."
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: @etiminyangmusic
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
Quando Quando Quando (as told by Hector)
Hector Amiwero is an actor, performer, filmmaker and creative entrepreneur.
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: hectoramiwero
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
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
'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
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
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
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
CHOICE (as told by Chelsea)
Chelsea Nwasike is a writer. filmmaker. creative director and visual designer
(a.k.a sister-friend)
Instagram: @imthechelsea
'on Mortality' (as told by Tareowei)
The Present (as told by Tomi)
Tomi Amsata-Awani is a consultant and an aspiring entrepreneur
(a.k.a sister-cousin)
Generating Ideas (as told by Sina)
"sometimes" (as told by Blanes)
Blanes is a creative professing Artistry Openly, a Student, Designer & Poet.
(a.k.a friend)
Instagram: @bl_nes
ROLL BACC THE YEARS (as told by Iberedem)
Iberedem is a rapper, producer, storyteller and genius
(a.k.a friend)
Fun fact: Today is Ibe's birthday
Instagram: @iberedem.aif
Under the Indian Almond Tree (as told by Adebayo)
The 4th room (as told by Sayo Olowo-Ake)
Sayo Olowo-Ake is a curator, singer, songwriter, and an artist
(a.k.a twin sister)
Instagram: @sayotheartist
Pilot: We are storytellers
Happy New Year!
(I guess I can still say this)
Welcome to Season 4 of this podcast, it is called 'Sola and Friends'. Last year, I sent out a vague brief to some people I know. I told them, "send me a recording of yourself telling a story- any story" and they have all delivered in ways unique to them. So throughout the season, you will be hearing stories from my friends and family members and I hope you enjoy it.
This series will run from February-October so anticipate the episodes.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this season!
Let's begin...
Instagram: @kehindeolowoake
stories behind 'Counter-Texts' by Kim Dhillon
Today's episode is by essayist, poet and art theorist, Kim Dhillon. In this episode, she tells me the story behind her new book 'Counter-Texts'.
ABOUT THE BOOK...
In Counter-Texts, Kim Dhillon provides a much-needed critical reassessment of written language in contemporary art. Considering the politics, aesthetics, and ethics of language, Dhillon explores artworks that use inscribed language, with a particular focus on works that challenge dominant narratives or that reveal, in visual form, the varied systems of oppression contained within words. Featuring more than forty artists from diverse backgrounds, Dhillon rewrites the understanding of text in contemporary visual art.
BIO...
Kim Dhillon is an essayist, poet and art theorist who teaches critical theory and curating at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She lives on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people on Vancouver Island, Canada.
You can buy the book here:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1789145562
Follow me on instagram @kehindeolowoake
a'laube
sometimes, I just rather sing my poems.
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
my conversation with the phoenix
Did the Phoenix rise or fall?
Bringing this back.
Into words with Sola first started as a radio show on my University's station. 'My Conversation with the Phoenix' was one of the first poems I wrote in preparation for the show. Four years on, and the poem has a different voice now. It really explores the theme of the sacrifices made to step into the new.
The prime subject is the Phoenix. In Greek Mythology, it is a bird that is reborn from the ashes of its predecessor. In My Conversation with the Phoenix, I ask "how did the middle point between your life and death- the separation- feel?" "Did it hurt?"...
random things...
This episode was interesting to make. I thought it'd be cool to record random thoughts and layer them on top of each other to create an audio piece. Can you make out any of the stories?
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
losing self
I wrote this poem in 2020 as I was experiencing exhaustion, a lot of pain, broken relationships and more; in the midst of having conversations about racism and blacklivesmatter protests. At the time I wrote it, it ended in sadness and destitution. I couldn't see hope and so I couldn't right hope into it and so I couldn't name her (my character in the poem). As time passed, the destitution eventually broke and I started seeing light seep through and rest with me.
One thing was for sure, God was with me. And because of this, I began to see hope ever so slowly and eventually found a name. I named her Yemi
Yemi in Yoruba means 'I am honourable'. Not because I'm special or anything, but I experienced God honour me/ grace me with his peace and love even in the midst of destitution.
song reference: Habakkuk 3:17-18
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Tomorrow
Tomorrow never comes like today never leaves.
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Part 2: becoming (what if)
This episode is Part 2 of the chase (dreams) song.
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
Part 1: chase (dreams)
I wrote this song in 2018 after writing a poem on a similar subject. I wrote this at a time when I was deeply uncertain about my future and I was questioning myself a lot. I was navigating how to be an adult, balance university work and relationships, and struggling to hold on to my dreams. Now we're four years away from that time and I won't say that I am 100% certain about my future however, I'd say that I've gotten more comfortable with working and living in the space of the unknown and I'm constantly learning how to be at peace. I am also relearning what it means to dream big while being open-minded and holding on to my big dreams loosely.
Can you relate?
I hope this song is soothing to listen to. I'm glad I am able to share it on here with you.
...
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
Skin Keeper
"I wish I told her that the charcoal melanin oceans that flooded her body and filled it to the brim
were a reflection of the dignity bestowed on it."
Bleaching was very popular when I was growing up. I won't say that I saw people bleach their skin on a regular basis but it was definitely something I came in contact with from time to time. A particular experience I witnessed in secondary school inspired me to write this poem.
'Skin Keeper' holds words that I would have loved to say back then but did not have the courage to.
....
Follow me on instagram @kehindeolowoake
Lúfadéjù (read by Omolade Oni)
Lúfadéjù- the slave, because of a crown, is greater
I wrote this poem for my undergraduate final year project. The poem takes the listener through a coronation ceremony of a former enslaved who has become King. This piece was written as an Oriki (Yoruba praise poem) for this character and it was translated to and read in Yoruba by my good friend Omolade Oni.
Incase you're wondering what the poem is saying, here is the English version:
The brave One
Defiant Soldier
Voice of a thousand
Voice for a thousand slaves and many more.
His words prove justice wrong
His words pierce the hearts of the “good” and make the wicked fall face flat to the ground
The ground he treads on shakes with rigour
His speech makes all tremble and his body is like brass
His silence sounds loud like the gong of the town crier
And his rage is the reason for his crown
His crown is a crown of gold
The beads on the front show his royalty
They are like a crystal river
That flows through a desert,
They speak of his excellence
The body of all bodies
Voice of all voices
Initiator of freedom
Ruler for a reason
With his crown, he will lead
Although oppressed, with his crown, he will be
KING
Bearer of the Crown
Bearer of the message
The honour and glory of the people
The slave is King and so a slave no more is he
The slave slave that bears the Crown is greater
And forever will be.
Background vocals by: Sayo Olowo-Ake, Omolade Oni and myself.
Produced by: Iberedem Etim Inyang
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
"Jola, pause"
Rest is easy to pronounce and hard to do.
I wrote this poem in 2019, around the time I was just starting my Masters Degree. I was so worried and I didn't know what to expect because I had never been down that road before. One day, I was making eggs and looking out my window and I just observed the mountains and clouds- they were just themselves, just 'being'.
What does it look like for you to be still and at peace in the middle of uncertainty? For me, the answer I discovered (and I'm still learning) is in this poem.
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
"I am a twin"
Here is a very brief recount of my childhood experiences as a twin. Not only did some people mix my twin sister and I up but they also would get confused and sometimes call one of us by our older sister's name. Yes all 3 of us have very similar names and they all start with the 'sh' sound.
Follow me on instagram: @kehindeolowoake
STO:RI (pilot)
Welcome to '...into words with Sola' Season 3, it feels great to be back! In this episode, I talk about my holiday, rest, learning Korean, my love for BTS and a summary of how season 3 of this podcast is going to unfold.
Photo: Seun Olowo-Ake
You can head over to my instagram to watch the story behind it.
Song: [White] Archetypes (poem) by Sola Olowo-Ake from The Writing Circle Project's , Unveiling (the full project is linked)
Instagram: @kehindeolowoake
Tag me, follow me and share this podcast.
Odaabo.
Episode 4- "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach."
#hostel stories
This is the last episode for #hostel stories
Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "huh-soo culture"; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"
Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.
Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake
Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"
Episode 3- "huh-su" culture
Episode 4- "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach."
Episode 3- "Huh-su" Culture
#hostel stories
for the next few episodes Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "Huh-su" culture; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"
Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.
Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake
Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"
Episode 3- "Huh-su" culture
Episode 4- I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"
Episode 2- "only cultists like beans"
#hostel stories
for the next few episodes Theresa and Sola will be sharing their Nigerian boarding house experiences in three parts- "only cultists like beans"; "huhsu culture"; "I want my mummy's food to still be in my stomach"
Do you have similar experiences? Share them with Theresa and Sola on Instagram.
Instagram:
Theresa- @chatswitht
Sola- @kehindeolowoake
Episode 1- "Naija, which way?"
The theme today is "Naija, which way?"
Theresa and Sola explore this question more in-depth as they relay stories that they have heard and experienced and they share their thoughts about some of the underlying issues that exist within these narratives. Through this episode they set the tone for what people can expect from the episodes to come.
Follow us on Instagram:
Theresa: @chatswitht
Sola: @kehindeolowoake
Pilot
Naija, which way?
Is a segment of '...into words with Sola' that sets out to explore storytelling and celebrate it.
Sola will be joined by her friend, Theresa and through their podcast episodes, they both would explore what it means to be Nigerian through their own subjectivities by storytelling experiences they have had (and in some ways still do) as Nigerian women.
Find us on instagram:
Sola- @kehindeolowoake
Theresa- @chatswitht
Ahọn Dudu's Story (3): bọs glas
Ahọn Dudu warns the King and he responds.
...
This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.
In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.
For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake
Ahọn Dudu's Story (2): Fasad Dafasiti
The people of Oke respond to Ahọn Dudu’s warning.
...
This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.
In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.
For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake
Ahọn Dudu's Story (1): Dnayal
Ahọn Dudu is faced with the challenge of passing on a message that could cost him his life. He is forced to make a decision and navigate his way through disbelief and doubt from his own people- the people of Oke.
...
This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.
In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.
For more on this project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake
Ahọn Dudu's Intro
In preparation for his story, Ahọn Dudu introduces you to the place he resides, Oke. He is about to story tell a series of events that he experienced in Oke.
...
This audio is part of my Master of Design thesis project which uses Yorùbá storytelling to speak about my experience with lack of black communal culture here in Vancouver, Canada.
In the story, Ahọn Dudu the main character (who is me) goes round warning everyone in the land he resides in about smoke that is coming up the mountain to destroy it.
For more about the project check out my Instagram @kehindeolowoake
Poetry: They fear colour
My recent poetic reflections on the shooting that when down in the 3 Atlanta spas last week and injustice in our world at large.
#stopasianhate #racismisthevirus
Episode 7- Care?
"Care for me, care for me/ I know you care for, me care for me..." was sang by THE MS. Lauryn Hill and we love that song but how many of us actually take time to care for ourselves and each other? In this episode, I discuss notions of care and laughter as form of care.
Episode 6- Things I learned in 2020 /Tili/
Do you ever make New Year Resolutions? For me, I stopped a long time ago but I usually reflect on my year and write down lessons I learned- no matter how small. In this episode, I share with you some things I learned in 2020 (Tili) and are still learning now.
Episode 5- To be a child again?
What does it look like to hold on to childlikeness? Were we fooled into thinking that going into adulthood meant laying all of our childlikeness down? What is at stake when we let go of all of it? Why do we crave what children have? These and more questions and thoughts are expressed in this podcast...+what Jingle Jangle teaches us about children, wonder and childlikeness.
Poetry: 'When we were young'
...is a poem I wrote about embracing childlikeness and the need to do this as an adult. The poem ends with a song my sisters and I grew up singing in primary school- 'Pamuregeji'. It was a fun song we were taught to introduce ourselves to people with but also, we used it at leisure time to play. The poem suggests that I go back there and hold on to the playful side of little Sola- I don't have to let all of her go.
To be a child again.
Episode 4- "Rest"
Anyone else ever feel guilty when they decide to take some minutes/ a day off? In this episode I talk about my ongoing struggle with rest and how I am navigating it. I also share a poem I wrote for this episode to illustrate its importance.
Poetry: 'Black Brown Skin'
...is my poetic reflection on the 'rejection of self' as it relates to Christian religion practices and my faith in God- those two being very different things in my opinion. In the poem I try to explore 'what is true', 'what is right', 'what the issues are' and 'how these issues conflict with truth'.
'Black Brown Skin' speaks to anti-black racism and lies I believed as a black female in these past few turbulent months. The poem is a journey back to truth which is rooted in my relationship with God- whether you be "Black" or "Brown" you are made in the image of God [Imago Dei]. Therefore, you are worthy of respect, dignity and love. This brings a higher sense of responsibility to humans with regards to how they treat fellow humans.
'Black Brown Skin' can also be metaphoric for any race that has been categorized as the 'other'- as these races have faced different types/forms of oppression but they all fall under an umbrella 'racism'.
Episode 3- 'Rejection of Self'
For all my POCs' and foreigners living in countries other than their home, have you ever code-switched to the extent that you begin to let go of your own ethnic identity? Can you relate to 'rejection of self'? In this episode, I address my own personal experience with it in the context of my home country and the context of the diaspora, and how it affects the individual, the environment and community building.
Episode 2- #ENDSARS
An episode dedicated to spreading awareness about the #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT protests that have been going on for a number of days in efforts to speak against and end police brutality in Nigeria. In this episode I talk about what is going on and I have only done this because I hope to bring more awareness and hold our government accountable. I join with my Nigerian brothers and sisters to speak out against this.
If you are on social media, share the hashtags #ENDSARS #ENDSWAT #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY
If you are in a position where you can effect change, write letters to people in government, change policies, care for the wounded etc, I urge you to spread the word and do it.
If you are far away and can't really do anything else, I urge you to share this and share similar posts on social media.