Elfreda Fakoya (b. 1995, United Kingdom) is a London-based multidisciplinary artist exploring figurative textile art rooted in diasporic cultures and their fusions. Her work serves as a conduit for exploring the connections and contrasts within these cultures, weaving narratives around themes of family, labor, self-exploration, and migration.
Initially working in fashion, Fakoya found greater interest in textile storytelling. Influenced by the vibrant cultural tapestry of London and Lagos, where she grew up, Fakoya draws inspiration from aerial topographic views and her own experiences traversing these diverse landscapes. The intricate lines, shapes, and patterns in her work reflect the multi-faceted identities in the diaspora evoking narratives of resilience and interconnectedness.
Her evolving body of work combines a diverse array of textiles, including leather, cotton, repurposed clothing and acrylics. Her creative process often employs print and production techniques used to create couture garments. It creates a "topographic aesthetic" that reflects the geographical and psychological complexities inherent in diasporic journeys. The works look like physical maps achieved through delicate hand-woven lines and patterns inviting viewers to contemplate the intersections of identity and place.
With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, the artist operates within a micro ecosystem where she repurposes textile and fashion waste, hence averting their negative impact on the planet. Leather, her primary material focus, serves as a symbolic representation of race, lineage, and personal odysseys.
In her most recent series, Seeds of Becoming, the artist intricately explores the journey of grief and personal growth. Beginning with a seed, each piece in the series embodies a different chapter in the process of quiet growth and development, presenting a poignant narrative of self-discovery and transformation. She utilizes natural colors found in botanical gardens and organic lines of stitching to echo the topographic effect that runs through all the artist's works, signaling the idea of a diasporic self in constant motion yet never displaced.
Fakoya’s work has been exhibited in The V&A Museum, London, UK and The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK. She is a member of the Somerset House artists in residence and a guest lecturer at Ravensbourne and Northampton University.