Lemi originally created this piece for the Bay-Area based Afrobeat band, Strike Iron, for the release of its debut album, Millions of Voices. Throughout the piece and the album (which share a name), Strike Iron’s mission burns bright – to stand together in unity and work toward equality, to connect all through dance and music, and to use knowledge and traditions of the past to affect the present, so the future can flourish.

Synonymous with the principal ideals of Democracy, the message of this piece is that millions of voices cannot be ignored. The almost faceless congregation of people give the sense that they are almost bursting out of the canvas, and this coupled with the chaos and bold, agitated energy they exude showcase the power inherent in collection action.Lemi emphasises the point that working together, the people of Nigeria can overcome all which burdens it. 

Edition details