Ceramic artist, Akande gains global attention with new sculpture

American–based ceramic sculptor, Femi Akande, is drawing significant international attention with his latest work, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self’, a sculpture that extends his long-standing exploration of trauma, healing, peace, identity, and cultural resilience.

Akande’s ceramic practice blends Yoruba visual philosophy with contemporary inquiries into emotional healing, collective memory, and socio-cultural reconstruction. The new work was recently selected for the Existence International Exhibizone Smart Group Exhibition, a juried global showcase organised by Biafarin in British Columbia, Canada.

Created in 2025, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self’ interrogates the psychological fractures caused by conflict, displacement, and personal adversity. Through fragmented glaze patterns and an expressive sculptural form, the piece reflects the artist’s sustained interest in how individuals and communities rebuild themselves after periods of rupture.

During the exhibition, the work underwent a structured independent review by participating evaluators. According to Biafarin’s published survey report, the sculpture received an overall rating of 8.8 out of 10 from 17 international reviewers. It earned particularly high scores for originality and uniqueness, composition and structure, form and shape, texture, and viewer identification. These results point to a strong reception among art professionals, collectors, and exhibition participants.

The evaluation format, commonly employed in international digital exhibitions, provides quantifiable insight into audience engagement and critical perception.

Akande’s work is deeply informed by Yoruba cultural aesthetics, notably the philosophical concept of Ìwàlẹ̀wà (character is beauty), which shapes his approach to form, symbolism, and narrative. His practice consistently merges classical ceramic techniques with contemporary themes of remembrance, psychological restoration, and the search for meaning.

Reflecting his growing international recognition, Akande was elected in 2025 to the International Academy of Ceramics, a prestigious UNESCO-affiliated organisation based in Geneva. The IAC is widely regarded as the foremost global institution for ceramic artists, educators, and researchers, admitting only a select number of practitioners whose work demonstrates significant international impact.

Over the past two decades, Akande has exhibited across Nigeria, the United States, Canada, and Europe, with his works featured in exhibition catalogues, critical reviews, international shows, and academic discourse. Beyond his studio practice, he has also been actively involved in community-based arts and peace-building initiatives that employ creative expression as a tool for trauma recovery and social cohesion.

As his profile continues to rise in contemporary ceramics, the convergence of Akande’s international exhibitions, deep cultural grounding, and the strong independent reception of his latest work underscores his growing visibility within the global ceramic art community. At a time when contemporary African art is gaining increasing international prominence, his work offers a distinctive voice; one that bridges traditional philosophy with the emotional and psychological complexities of the modern world.