Artist Commissions
SOAP Chevy Thompson (Ofilaye) These Soap Carvings were created by people imprisoned during the 1970s. They showcase the ingenuity and what a person can achieve when their resources are extremely limited. They show great technical skill and contain beautiful creative qualities. Each one is full of character and charm, giving us an idea of what the person was most in thought of when carving their soap. What I was most fascinated by is that they were most likely made in isolation, we usually think of art creation as something that will be shared afterwards, these soaps tell me that creating is a fundamental way for us to express ourselves. Even if it’s expressing ourselves to ourselves. I took photographs of three of the soap carvings in the museum's collection and presented them on a colourful backdrop to give them an enlarged sense of power and presence. The word ‘power’ is repeated, reinforcing the soap carving’s presence.
Ofilaye is a photographer and filmmaker based in the UK. His work focuses on race, identity, and origins. Instagram: ofilaye