The Sweet Proposition Painting

In this seven-piece series, Abi Salami, a Nigerian born Dallas-based artist, takes a critical look at her motherland’s politics, and the corruption it’s plentiful natural resources cause within. A seed of curiosity was planted when the artist’s mother lovingly gave her a tub of Vaseline for her studio after noticing her daughter’s hands were dry from painting. In Nigeria, Vaseline is a household staple, as it is a byproduct of oil production. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of oil in the world, and it is also rich with gold, iron ore, zinc and gemstones. Western companies, and the corrupt Nigerian government reap the benefits of her motherland, leaving 92% of the population to live off $5.50/day. Abi comments, “The money from the oil industry is colloquially called National Cake. Everyone wants a piece of the cake, the larger the piece, the better,” morality unconsidered. This knowledge left her feeling powerless. She uses symbolism and surrealism to depict the current struggles of Nigeria by creating a parallel universe where she can reclaim the resources of her country as a deity. “I can drink the oil, the Black Gold, and have it nourish me, and I can derive currency from the oil in the form of cowrie shells to share with my faithful worshippers.” But she does not stop there, as with all of her works, Abi turns introspective, revealing her own desire to live a life of luxury, and what she sacrifices for that desire. She reflects, “So is it fair for me to think, even as a deity, I would be able to not let the allure of Black Gold cloud my judgement?”