Goosebumps series

Through a variety of mediums, Osi Audu creates shapes, patterns, and textures that reveal facets of human consciousness. His Goosebumps series (2023) focuses on piloerection (also known as the pilomotor reflex or horripilation), which is the involuntary reaction to strong emotions or experiences that results in raised body hair. Inspired by how yarn is incorporated into many cultural techniques throughout Africa, Audu weaves thick stripes of brightly colored yarn through canvas so that it protrudes and takes on a visceral charge. In doing so, his compositions are designed to trigger “aesthetic chills” while contemplating what he refers to as “the skin of things.” 

— Sophie Landres, Curator of the Dorsky Museum of Art.

Self Portrait Series

“Though on flat surface, [Audu’s] work appears three-dimensional. Solid black forms dominate the center of the picture plane. With voluminous architectural shapes composed of different parts but bound seamlessly by slick white lines in the new Self-Portrait series, Audu stretches the boundaries of abstraction, teasing the imagination. Using a variety of mediums, including acrylic, graphite, pastel and yarn on canvas or paper, he examines scientific, philosophical and cultural concepts surrounding the relationship between mind and body. His compositions are often inspired by the abstract geometric possibilities he sees in African art and cultural objects.”

— Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, Curator of Painting and Sculpture, MoMA, New York.