-
Hello, I’m Abiosè.
I am a Nigerian-born artist working between memory, storytelling, diaspora, and heritage. My studio practice is rooted in the oral traditions I grew up with in Lagos, particularly the cultural ritual of the TV series Tales by Moonlight, where stories were shared at dusk and carried lessons across generations.
After becoming a mother in the African diaspora, I began retelling these stories—first for my children, and then through painting. This body of work emerges from that act of reconnection and preservation. Each piece draws from African folktales across different countries, where animals, landscapes, and domestic spaces become vessels for memory and meaning.
“Folktales Beyond Borders” explores how stories travel—how they shift across geographies, generations, and identities—while remaining rooted in cultural inheritance. In this way, painting becomes both an archive and a continuation of African oral storytelling traditions. Importantly, these works are small by design for African stories belong in the stars too. They always have.
Born in Lagos, my early life continues to inform my sensitivity to narrative, community, and resilience. Alongside my artistic practice, I work as a medical doctor in family medicine, a role that deepens my engagement with human stories in another form.
At its core, my work is about transmission and centering: carrying stories forward and creating space for them to live again.
How the Tortoise Got A Cracked Shell: Long ago, Tortoise was known as the cleverest—and greediest—of all animals. One year, there was a great famine. Food was scarce on the ground, but Tortoise heard that the birds were invited to a grand feast in the sky. Tortoise had no wings, but he had a plan. He went to the birds and said, “Dear friends, I wish to join you. If each of you lends me a feather, I can make wings and travel with you.” The birds agreed, each giving him a feather. Tortoise tied them together and soon had a fine pair of wings. Before they left, he said, “In the sky, it is the custom to take a new name. I shall be called All of You.” The birds found this strange, but said nothing. When they reached the sky, the feast was laid out—yams, fruits, and rich stews. The host announced, “This food is for all of you!” Tortoise stepped forward quickly. “You hear that? My name is All of You. This feast is for me!” And he began to eat everything—leaving almost nothing for the birds. They were furious. When it was time to leave, each bird took back its feather. One by one, Tortoise’s wings disappeared. Soon, he was left alone in the sky. Terrified, he called down to his wife on earth: “Quick! Put out all the soft things so I may land safely!” But the birds, still angry, tricked his wife. They told her he said to put out hard things instead. She spread out stones. Tortoise fell from the sky—CRASH! His shell shattered into many pieces. Though he survived, the cracks remained forever. And that is why the tortoise’s shell is not smooth, but full of lines. Moral: Greed and deceit often bring painful consequences.
The Tenrec and the Tide - Long ago in the Seychelles, when animals listened to the sea, Tenrec lived safely among dry leaves in the forest. Small and spiky, he feared the ocean—but he was curious. Each day he watched Crab walking along the shore, slipping easily between land and water. “Why go into the sea?” Tenrec asked. “The tide brings food,” Crab replied. “But you must understand it.” Tenrec begged to join him. At last, Crab agreed. “When the tide rises, you leave. When it falls, you follow.” At low tide, the sea pulled back, leaving pools full of fish and shells. Tenrec was amazed. He ate happily, finding more food than ever before. “There is so much,” he said. “I will stay longer.” Crab warned him, “The sea will return.” But Tenrec ignored him. Slowly, the water crept back. It filled the pools, covered the sand. Tenrec kept eating until a sudden wave rushed around his feet. “Crab!” he cried. “Follow the tide!” Crab called, already climbing to safety. But Tenrec did not understand. He ran wildly as the water rose, until a wave flipped him onto his back. Curled tight, he was rolled and carried up the beach. When the sea withdrew, Tenrec lay shaken and far from shore. Crab found him later. “You did not listen.” Tenrec nodded. “The forest is still. The sea is not.” From that day on, he respected the tide. The moral of the story is this. The sea gives only to those who respect its rhythm.
How The Elephant Got Its Trunk - A long time ago, long into the beginning of the world, The Elephant used to have a snort snout for a nose. This didn’t bother him much, in fact, he was rather proud of his small snout for it never got in the way of feeding nor drinking. Because of his great size, mealtimes were very important to the elephant. In fact, he had to eat and drink a lot to maintain his strength. However, come to think of it, he did find it a tad wee bit uncomfortable considering the fact that he had to go down on his knees to reach anything. One day The Elephant was a t the river, kneeling to drink from the fresh water. Crocodile, who was very hungry swam past Elephant and all he saw was a rather large walking meal. He circled back and suddenly lunged out of the water, grabbing Elephant by the snout. A surprised Elephant tried his hardest to pull away but Crocodile had a firm 3700 pounds of biting force clamp around it! Crocodile used all his strength and might to pull Elephant under the water, and in turn Elephant used his strength to stay above; digging his feet into the riverbank, fighting back. The battle would take several hours and with every tug of war, Elephant’s trunk got longer and longer. Eventually, Elephant would successfully pull Crocodile onto land, attempting to stamp on it, realising what just happened, Crocodile let go and retreated backwards into the water. Elephant back to the herd with his now very long trunk by his feet. After a few days of healing, Elephant realised he didn’t have to bend to drink, nor eat. From then, all other elephants visited the Crocodiles with a plan to not get eaten, but to leave with lengthened trunks. The moral of the story is this: Adversity and struggle, though painful, can transform a weakness into your greatest asset.
Why The Spider Has Long Legs - This painting is about Anansi The Spider who loved to eat with friends. He never said no to food, and in fact always complemented his friends cooking, in hopes that he’d be invited to eat with them. One day while walking down the road to get to the river, he smelt some tasty coming from The Monkey’s home. Of course, he popped in to meet his friend who was making dodo. Monkey invited him to eat with them, but knowing he’d have to assist in the kitchen as the food was not completely ready yet, he said he was very busy but would love to eat with The Monkey. Just then, Anansi had an idea. He suggested spinning web to tie to The Monkey and that when the food was ready, Monkey would simply tug of the web. So off he went after spinning the web. Net he went by The Snake’s home. Now Snake was preparing yummy Ghanaian spaghetti. He had also just gotten started. The Spider filled to the brim with hunger accepted the invitation here too, spinning a web to attach to snake. He did the same when he got to The Warthogs, then Rabbit and 4 other friends homes! As he approached the river, Anansi celebrated as to how much food was coming his way. When he approached the river, Monkey tugged on the web which pulled at his 5th leg. Then tugged Warthog, then Rabbit; then all 8 friends, in fast succession within 1 second! And this is how the spider gained his long legs. The moral of the story is this - Greed overreaches itself, and the consequences of wanting everything at once can stretch you thin.
Why Bats Fly At Night - This painting is about two friends, the Bat and the Bushrat. The Bat was one of the best at cooking in the town, and unfortunately quite jealous of The Bushrat who was very handsome. One evening while visiting his friend, The Bushrat had the opportunity to eat The Bat’s food again. After devouring yet another great meal, The Bushrat asked The Bat how he cooks his delicious soup. The Bat said his secret sauce was that he boiled himself in the soup for extra flavour. When The Bushrat got home, he went immediately to the kitchen to tell his wife, happened to also have been cooking a pot of soup. She did not believe it and even laughed at the ridiculous secret sauce. When she went to put the kids to bed, The Bushrat snuck into the kitchen and hopped right into the boiling pot of soup. When the wife came down she found The Bushrat dead in the pot. She went to the king to plead her case and he ordered his soldier ants to imprison The Bat. This new travelled fast, even amongst the Soldier Ants that were off duty. Two off-duty Soldier ants while walking past The Bat’s home, were talking about this, which The Bat overheard. That night, he snuck into the Idin Forest. Ever since then The Bat only comes out at night, so as to not be found… and imprisoned. The Moral of the story is that Guilt and deception will catch up with you — and the only escape may cost you your freedom forever.
Do contact us to let us know which of the above you would like to acquire as well as your considered budget. Warmly, The Orekoya-Haara Family