AfrOakland

Artist: Aeos One
Location: 10th and Pine
Date Painted: April-May, 2021
Date Photographed: June, 2021
Description: “AfrOakland.” Three adinkra symbols on squares. Hands holding each other. “From each according to ability; to each according to need.” Pyramids in front of sunset.
Notes: From the artist:
I put focus on three adinkra symbols that focus on community and duality, because without my community I wouldn’t be who or where I am, truth be told. From left to right, the first being NKONSONKONSON meaning “chain link” which is a symbol of unity and human relations, the second being BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO meaning “Help me and let me help you” which is a symbol of cooperation and interdependence and the third being WO NSA DA MU A meaning “If your hands are in the dish” which is a symbol of participatory government, democracy and pluralism.
The African proverb “From each according to ability; to each according to need” is another reference to the importance of what it means to be a good member of a community. What one can provide should be to the extent that one does not compromise their own existence; while the one who needs receives no more than what is necessary for their own existence. As the oscillating wave of life gradually minimizes, each member keeps those guidelines intact to further refine the foundation.
Details below.