Flight, Freedom, and Form: I Will Belong to Only Me
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
November 20, 2025 – May 31, 2026
980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
awaacc.org
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center will debut I Will Belong to Only Me, the first U.S. survey of Nigerian artist Peju Alatise. The exhibition opens on November 20, 2025, at 980 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. It highlights two decades of Alatise’s work and shows how she became a leading voice in contemporary African art.
Born in Lagos, Alatise studied architecture before moving into visual art. Her work blends Yorùbá stories with modern ideas about identity and womanhood. She often uses resin, beads, and textiles to build bright and detailed worlds. Flying Girls, her well-known 2015–16 installation, anchors the show. It depicts young girls floating in midair and reflects themes of hope, escape, and freedom. The piece was inspired by the story of a 10-year-old domestic worker who dreams of flying.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will see how Alatise mixes precise structure with bold storytelling. She explores topics such as gender inequality, spirituality, and the impact of global change. As a result, her work invites viewers to think about how Black women move through and reshape the spaces around them.
The exhibition runs through May 31, 2026. For more details or tickets, visit awaacc.org.
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