The “Inverted Blackness” exhibition by Boluwatife Oyediran is a powerful visual journey that speaks to the complexities of identity, migration, and cultural integration. Through a series of intimate portraits, Oyediran invites viewers to contemplate the nuances of being an African immigrant in the United States. His work explores questions of belonging, identity, and self-perception, using a unique chromatic approach—a palette of blues instead of traditional skin tones—to embody his concept of “Inverted Blackness.” 

Oyediran’s choice of blue hues, inspired by his personal experience as a Nigerian studying in the United States, effectively visualizes the inner transformations that many immigrants undergo. By digitally altering the colors of Black skin to various shades of blue, he creates an ethereal, almost dreamlike portrayal of his subjects. This inversion serves as a metaphor for the disconnection and redefinition that African immigrants often feel as they navigate new cultural landscapes, striving to find their place in a society that may view them as “other.” 

In “Higher Goals (After Hammons),” for instance, Oyediran combines cultural symbols—the basketball hoop representing American culture and the beaded net nodding to Nigerian heritage. The work references David Hammons’ iconic piece while creating a powerful statement on the aspirations and challenges faced by immigrants. The towering height of the hoop echoes the distant, idealized view of America as a land of endless opportunity and beauty—a vision that can feel as elusive as it is enticing. 

The exhibition’s large-format canvases create an immersive experience, where the viewer becomes part of Oyediran’s world. His depictions of interiors, with Western domestic elements like houseplants and pets, offer glimpses into the hybrid identities of African immigrants. These background details enrich the narrative, symbolizing the adjustments immigrants make to adapt and find a sense of belonging in a foreign land. 

“Inverted Blackness” reads almost like a personal diary, with cerulean shades reflecting Oyediran’s own metamorphosis and the shared experience of African immigrants adjusting to life in America. His work transcends conventional representation, offering a post-colonial perspective on hybridity and identity. Oyediran masterfully captures the push and pull between