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A ceramic artist from the United States, Femi Akande, is gaining considerable global recognition for his new piece, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self,’ which continues his ongoing examination of trauma, recovery, harmony, selfhood, and cultural endurance.

Akande’s pottery combines the Yoruba visual philosophy with modern explorations of emotional recovery, shared history, and societal-cultural renewal. The new piece has been recently chosen for the Existence International Exhibizone Smart Group Exhibition, a curated international display hosted by Biafarin in British Columbia, Canada.

Developed in 2025, ‘Fragments of a Shattered Self’ explores the mental divisions resulting from conflict, migration, and personal challenges. Using broken glaze designs and a dynamic sculptural structure, the work demonstrates the artist’s ongoing focus on how people and societies reconstruct themselves following times of disruption.

Throughout the exhibition, the artwork was subjected to a formal independent assessment conducted by participating evaluators. As stated in Biafarin’s published survey report, the sculpture achieved an average score of 8.8 out of 10 from 17 global reviewers. It received notably high marks for originality and distinctiveness, composition and design, form and silhouette, texture, and audience engagement. These findings indicate a positive response from art experts, collectors, and those involved in the exhibition.

The assessment method, widely used in global digital showcases, offers measurable understanding of viewer interaction and expert opinion.

Akande’s creations are strongly influenced by Yoruba cultural aesthetics, particularly the philosophical idea of Ìwàlẹ̀wà (character is beauty), which influences his style, use of symbols, and storytelling. His work regularly combines traditional pottery methods with modern themes related to memory, mental healing, and the quest for significance.

Due to his increasing global acclaim, Akande was elected in 2025 to the International Academy of Ceramics, a renowned organization linked to UNESCO located in Geneva. The IAC is considered the leading worldwide body for ceramic artists, teachers, and scholars, welcoming only a limited number of professionals whose work has made a substantial international influence.

In the last twenty years, Akande has showcased his work throughout Nigeria, the United States, Canada, and Europe, with his pieces appearing in exhibition guides, analytical articles, global exhibitions, and scholarly discussions. In addition to his artistic practice, he has also been deeply engaged in community-focused art and peace-promotion projects that use creative expression as a means of healing from trauma and fostering social unity.

As his reputation grows within the field of modern ceramics, the combination of Akande’s global exhibitions, strong cultural roots, and the positive response to his most recent creations highlights his increasing recognition in the worldwide ceramic art scene. During a period when contemporary African art is becoming more widely acknowledged internationally, his work provides a unique perspective; one that connects traditional beliefs with the emotional and psychological challenges of today’s society.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).