Culture, Marketplace

Ayok’a Deco – Making Black Art Available

Meaning ‘welcome’ in a native language of the Ivory Coast, Ayok’a is a new platform designed to make the work of black artists available in the form of fine art prints, phone
cases and t-shirts by emerging and established black artists from across the diaspora.

African lady framed interior
African Lady by TEDA © ayokadeco.com

The artists are hand-picked by the site’s curators and include illustrators, visual and multi-media artists, all of whose back stories are explored on the site in the form of interviews, bringing the passions and inspirations behind the art to life.

Untitled 6 by Art ayk
Untitled 6 by Neema © ayokadeco.com

Run by sisters Alice and Liliane Gbelia who hail from the Ivory Coast via France, Ayok’a is about reflecting their heritage and love for black culture and accessing the kind of artwork and fashion that they desire to have in their home. Given how much representation matters, the sisters and many of the artists involved aim to shatter stereotypes of well-worn African narratives, and reflect African and black art in a new light, whilst making it accessible for those who want to adorn their homes with it and generating profit for the artists involved.

birdie

A Little Birdie by Dope Lady © ayokadeco.com

Current stock includes art prints (framed and unframed), including Limited Editions; women’s t-shirts; and iPhone and Samsung phone cases, but the aim is to include more products such as greeting cards and home accessories in due time. Initially only available in the UK, expansion to Europe and the US will occur in the near future.

Phonecase Samsung S4
Noire by Artista Amarela © ayokadeco.com
Abstract tshirt
Abstract Shape by TEDA © ayokadeco.com
Love iphone case
Love by Artista Amarela © ayokadeco.com

To view the art and learn more about this impressive range of artistry, from Delphine Alphone’s Technicolour Dreamscapes; Infinite Minimalism by Teda; Pop Art and Feminine Illustrations with Dija Ouija; Pauline N’Gouala’s “Artivism” and Humanism; Ebz’ Art that Presents a Mirror to Society and many, many more, check out www.ayokadeco.com.
Ayokadeco on Facebook
Ayokadeco on Instagram

Questlove Music Day
Questlove Music Day
© ayokadeco.com

One thought on “Ayok’a Deco – Making Black Art Available

  1. Thank you for coming up with this initiative.We as Africans have to avail these platforms and change the narrative of who is selling and distributing our works, who is managing our artists and how is it easy to access works by our own innovators and creators on the continent .High five !

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