conceptual portrait + film, exploring diasporan dignity & identity
My Name is Rowland Olubukonla Koshoni.
My Name is Rowland Olubukonla Koshoni
I was born in Lagos Nigeria. I moved to the U.K when I was 6 years old.
The 12 names etched upon this sculpture, represent a selection of names I’ve been called, since arriving in the UK in 1983.
I’ve been called these names by friends, teachers, colleagues and lovers.
To take the disparaging, violent or offensive and reimagine. To take evil, wicked and vile and make beautiful, good and dignified.
You cannot control all that happens to you in this life, but you can control how you choose to react.
To discuss racism, we must be brave enough to bring it to light. To end Racism, we must be brave enough to acknowledge its existence. Cheryl Strayed wrote,
“If, as a culture, we don’t bear witness to grief, the burden of loss is placed entirely upon the bereaved, while the rest of us avert our eyes and wait for those in mourning to stop being sad,
to let go, to move on, to cheer up. And if they don’t, if they have loved too deeply, if they do wake each morning thinking, I cannot continue to live — well, then we pathologise their pain; we call their suffering a disease.
I believe the same can be said for those who have suffered the grief of racism.
No matter race or self-identifying gender. We all share the commonality of pain. I appreciate you taking the time to share mine with me.
My Name is Rowland Olubukonla Koshoni. Proud son of Nigerian parents. The youngest of four children.
I am a father. A son. A husband. And I ask that you call me - by my name.