Artist Toyosi Saliu Makes A Solid Gold Statement with Breathtaking 24-Carat Art
From the heart of the African continent but firmly rooted in London, rises an exciting new artist whose work bridges African identity and ancestral royalty with modern elegance. Nigerian artist Toyosi Saliu uses real 24-carat gold to craft dazzling portraits that bring a new visual language to the art of portraiture. Each brushstroke isn’t just pigment; the precious metal transforms traditional canvas into pure treasure.
The artist is keen to explain the deeper symbolism and meaning behind her work. Toyosi says: “Sankofa Chronicles was born out of a passionate desire to reconnect with pre-colonial African history and visual storytelling. As an artist growing up in Nigeria, I have always been fascinated with the shared cultural threads across West Africa, especially symbols like Adinkra, which originated in Ghana but speak to a broader African philosophy of legacy and memory. I wanted to create a work that reflects beauty and encourages us to look back, learn and reclaim what was interrupted by colonisation. The concept grew organically through research, self-reflection and a deep respect for African heritage”
It’s fascinating to find brushstrokes in every canvas in this exclusive collection infused with genuine gold. However, Toyosi explains it’s not just about wealth or widely held tropes on its precious qualities, but says the use of gold in her portraits is a tribute to Africa’s rich cultural legacy and a nod to its golden lands.
If attending the exhibition, your gaze will inevitably be drawn to the Byzantine-like golden halos around the heads of the divinely depicted subjects. According to the artist, “They are inspired by classical religious iconography where halos represent divinity, sanctity and light; but I feel Black figures have been largely absent from those portrayals. By placing 24-carat gold halos behind my subjects I intentionally place Black identity in a divine context. The gold also reflects West African historical connection to wealth, power and royalty, especially regions that played a central role in the global gold trade. So for me, the halos are about restoring dignity, celebrating spiritual presence and reframing how we see ourselves.”
She proudly sources her racial heritage and gender for much of this artistic discourse, stating: “Being a Black woman from Nigeria deeply influenced how I see and represent my world. My identity includes cultural pride, inherited loudness, resilience and beauty. Art gives me a space to speak unchallenged. I use it to confront colonial narratives, explore the tensions between tradition and modernity and portray Black women with reverence and softness. My gender and race aren’t limited, they are lenses that add depth, nuance and truth to everything I create.”
African proverb (Akan, Ghana) – “Gold does not rust on the ground, and rocks don’t get soaked in the rain.”
Meaning: true value endures. A beautiful reflection of both cultural heritage and timeless art. Yes, this is art with a difference. Rich in so many ways…..not just the one.
Toyosi Saliu: Sankofa Chronicles Elishas Gallery, 1b Holborn Circus EC1N 2HB. May 19-31 2025. Private view May 17 6-9pm
