CONCEPT
The surface of White Totem of Light is adorned with handmade patterns inspired by natural defense systems, elegant, intricate motifs reminiscent of the protective mechanisms found in flowers, plants, and other organic forms. These patterns are not merely decorative; they embody a deeper truth: that beauty in nature is often inseparable from the instinct to protect, adapt, and endure. Equally central to the work is its inspiration from Vodun altars in Benin, sacred structures that are naturally transformed over time by the accumulation of libations, offerings, and ritual textures. In these altars, poured substances during ceremonies build a layered, organic surface that is both tactile and spiritual. Houndekpinkou channels this visual and material language in White Totem of Light, creating a surface that evokes the sacred through both deliberate craftsmanship and the unpredictability of texture. In this sense, the sculpture becomes a metaphor for safeguarding cultural heritage, a call to preserve identity with both strength and grace. This vision is deeply personal to Houndekpinkou, whose artistic practice is rooted in his Beninese heritage and profoundly shaped by his spiritual and aesthetic journey through Japan. His work draws from Benin’s Vodun traditions and Japanese Shintoism, two belief systems that honor the sacred, the cyclical nature of existence, and the spiritual resonance of materials. His ceramics become vessels of these philosophies, earthly and humble, yet transcendent and charged with meaning. Bringing White Totem of Light to the Giza Plateau creates a rare opportunity for cultural convergence, a dialogue between African spiritual heritage, Japanese ritual tradition, and Egyptian ancestral majesty. In this historic landscape, the sculpture becomes a bridge between past and present, earth and cosmos, tradition and transformation. Through this poetic and powerful work, King Houndekpinkou invites viewers to reflect on the enduring presence of pattern, not only as a visual rhythm but as a universal language of continuity, protection, and spiritual resonance. In this way, Forever Is Now becomes more than an exhibition; it is a meditation on how human stories are shaped, repeated, and preserved across generations and civilizations.