About this artwork

This is a 2d digital graphics representation of the Third Aláàfin of the old Oyo empire. Sàngó Olúkòso (as popularly referred to) He is depicted here wearing cowry decorated braids with traditional bead endings, carrying Ose his double faced war axe, wearing a traditional war Kèmbè (to fit the title "Work kèmbè re b'ija"...roughly translated to "the one who battles in a Kèmbè"), girdled sandals (sálúbàtà) and gold earrings to show his wealth status and also show a bit of his not so formal warrior side and then in Formal Royal attire (Dànsíkí and sóró). He is also shown to bear tatoo-like marks (gbéré) that he subjected himself to for the pleasure of his wife and (I added) fortification He has brown eyes but his pupils turn into two different hues when he activates his powers.