Let’s take a moment to appreciate the journey of Osoranna Mojekwu, the Nigerian American artist recently commissioned by Adidas to create two large-scale artworks for their new Lagos flagship store. As highlighted in the OkayAfrica feature, this is more than just a cool brand collaboration. It is a deeply personal story of identity, belonging, and artistic growth.
Osoranna’s life has always been a mix of cultures. Born in the United States, he moved to Nigeria at age ten, and like many people navigating two worlds, he struggled to find where he truly fit. In America, he was the Black kid in an all white Catholic school. In Nigeria, he was seen as not Nigerian enough. That push and pull shaped him. And rather than run from it, he used those experiences to fuel his art.
Now 26, Osoranna says those years in Lagos gave him the strength and perspective he needed to face the world. That is what makes this Adidas project so meaningful to him. It is a thank you to the community that shaped him.
The artworks he created are not just beautiful. They tell stories. One of them shows different faces standing side by side. Someone wears a hijab, and another has braids. If you look closely, the Adidas stripes are subtly included in the background. These pieces are not just flat paintings. They are layered with recycled materials like beads and thread, which give them a textured, three-dimensional look. But even more importantly, they represent the many sides of identity that shape young Nigerians today.
Osoranna calls his works journal entries, and you can really feel that personal touch. These are not just paintings meant for decoration. They are emotional snapshots of what it means to grow up in a place where tradition, faith, sport, and self expression all come together.
The theme of the Adidas commission was community, and Osoranna fully embraced that. He wanted young Nigerians to look at his work and feel seen, but also to recognize and appreciate others who may look or live differently from them. It is about celebrating Nigeria’s diversity and encouraging greater understanding.
And what makes this story even more touching? Osoranna’s love for art started when he was just six. He drew a simple picture of a horse, showed it to his dad, and saw pure joy on his father’s face. That moment stuck with him. It reminded him that even simple art can move people. That is the same energy he brings to his work today. He is not just creating images. He is creating connection.
His first major solo show in 2021, titled Look Beneath the Surface, was all about challenging how we see others. That message clearly resonated because one of the people who attended later introduced him to the Adidas opportunity. That was the beginning of this full circle moment.
For Osoranna, this commission brings together everything he cares about. Art, culture, fashion, and honesty. And most of all, it delivers a strong and timely message. We are stronger together. His work encourages people to connect, to reflect, and to appreciate the beauty in both their own stories and the stories of others.
In a time when many brands want to connect with culture, Adidas makes a smart and meaningful choice by working with someone who lives and breathes it. Osoranna delivered something not only bold and beautiful but also deeply real.
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