Inside Project Aikido At The Mandrake Hotel

In the lobby of The Mandrake Hotel, two globe sculptures were showcased for guests to admire as they entered, setting the tone for the evening ahead. These globes are part of a larger exhibition facilitated by The World Reimagined who commissioned a roster of emerging artists. Two of these artists; Alvin Kofi and Joshua Donkor are being supported by Project Aikido, with the platform raising money to take the globes to Burning Man festival this August, generating global awareness of their artistic talent.

Alvin Kofi is a second-generation West Indian artist whose African-centred creative perspective allows him to explore traditional notions of African culture and the historical narrative of the diaspora. For his globe, Kofi was commissioned to interpret the theme 'A Complex Triangle', delving into the triangular flow of goods and enslaved labour among Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The globe's colours are symbolic : gold represents the allure of wealth and the thirst for riches, while overlapping symbols and motifs mirror Africa's tradition of documenting historical shifts.

Joshua Donkoris is a Ghanaian-British painter whose work uses portraiture as a tool to subvert monolithic portrayals of Black identity. The subject matter of Donkor’s paintings is deeply personal and completely idiosyncratic—often having to deal with specific African roots and the individual experiences specific people have had growing up Black in Western societies. Titled "Echoes in the Present," Donkor’s globe explores the Welsh African communities' identities, exploring the concept of double consciousness and the split experienced as minorities in prejudiced societies. The artist wanted to create a piece focusing on the present day experiences of members of the African diaspora in Wales. The globe features image transfers from cityscapes, family members, and memories spanning generations. 

As the music continued through the night, guests connected over their shared appreciation for the showcased art and the collaboration of Project Aikido and The Art Club by The Sybarite. It was a testament to the power of art and music to bring people together in support of a common cause. The media partnership forged between The Sybarite and Project Aikido serves as a commitment to amplifying the voices of the emerging artists spotlighted by the platform. Looking ahead, we encourage you to keep an eye out for upcoming interviews with Joshua Donkor and other talented artists supported by Project Aikido.