Creation Story

Obatalá’s desire to create land and life on earth was granted permission by the Supreme God. Yet nobody bothered to ask or inform Yemayá who was there with her oceans from the beginning. As Obatalá swings down from the sky on a long chain made of gold donated by the other orishas, he pours out sand and seeds from his seashell to form land. The rooster claws at the ground, planting seeds for forestation and foliage. Meanwhile, Yemayá’s surprised expression indicates the abrupt intrusion upon her kingdom as the oceans were forced to subside to Obatalá’s new land masses. With the loss of territory and an increase in human population, Yemayá demonstrates her power and strength by creating the Great Flood. This painting reimagines frescoes from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Exhibitions