Introducing myself and my journal: Queer Nigerian media artist, organizer and healer

naijaboi

Queer Nigerian media artist, organizer and healer

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• Introduction

About Me:
OluSeyi Olutoyin Adebanjo, Media Artist, Co- Executive Director of Casa Atabex Ache’- The House of Womyn’s Power

Seyi is a Queer Nigerian media artist, organizer and healer. Seyi is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, receiving a degree in African Studies. Seyi has been a community organizer since 1995 working in such communities as Minneapolis MN, & South Central LA. Seyi has worked with communities of color around issues of immigration, homophobia, police brutality, & health care. Seyi uses skills in filmmaking, community organizing, spirituality, and cultural practices to direct a womyn of color not for profit organization in the South Bronx. Casa Atabex Ache empowers young and adult womyn of color to reclaim their lives, heal from trauma, become leaders and activist to end violence against womyn. Seyi uses media as a tool to bridge spirituality and social justice. Currently I am attending the Integrated Media Arts Graduate Program at Hunter College to receive a Masters of Fine Arts

I am a media artist who raises awareness around social issues through digital video and photography. I thus incorporate media activism with my passion for social justice and community building. As an artist I do not make art for art sakes. I manifest art for activism. My art animates the personal so that it may become political. I use cultural production style as a vehicle to build community, identity and empowerment.

My art communicates with a distinct voice on many themes: “womyn” of color, immigration, sexual orientation, spirituality, post-colonialism, homophobia, poverty and white supremacy/ privilege. It passionately examines cultural practices, identities, cultural displacement and community transformation.

Seyi has created such shorts as “What is A Terrorist?” which talks about the impact of the United States’ war on terrorism on People of Color. Seyi’s film “Look of Love,” deals with positive imagery of Same-Gender-Loving Womyn and Gender Queers loving and embracing themselves. Toyin has worked with local artists to produce socially conscious and spiritual films, direct and crew in all aspects of production and post-production. Seyi’s recent successful productions “Yo Tengo Fuerza- I Have Power! Young Womyn Healing, Transforming and Being Free” has created visibility for young womyn’s experience in the foster care system, Casa Atabex Ache-the House of Womyn’s Power and city awareness to the process of healing after child sexual abuse. “Sacred Spaces of South Bronx-BAAD!” a 13-minute documentary portrait of a space called BAAD! This love letter to BAAD! has generated possible funding and publicity to this space. Toyin’s shorts have been screened at the African Diaspora Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, Hip Hop Film Festival, Blaxtino Art Festival, African Theatre Open Mic, Manhattan Neighborhood Network Cable Access Channel as well as the Art Crawl Exhibition.

Seyi is currently working on the film "Reconciling Faith in Yoruba" This documentary looks at the value of traditional yoruba spirituality in nigeria as an organizing and spiritual tool. I am looking at the truamas created in families, communitirs & country because of colonization/ foreign religions which condem or disapprove of yoruba.

My Passions:
video, media, dancing, spirituality as social justice tool, yoruba, queerness

My Challenges:
keeping the faith in this world of oppression

My Vision for the Future:
peace and social justice for womyn of color and Queer folks with Africa the continent being the leader & leader.

My Areas of Expertise:
media, videographer, editing, blogging, organizing, earth based spirituality