'Indigo Is the Colour of Love' 💙 Nike Davies-Okundaye | Tate

Why It Matters

The resurgence of indigo‑based, hand‑crafted textiles offers sustainable growth opportunities for Nigeria’s creative economy and meets rising global demand for authentic, eco‑friendly fashion.

Key Takeaways

• Indigo dye symbolizes love in Osogbo’s textile tradition
• Adire alabela uses hand‑painted wax and indigo dyeing
• Osogbo is Nigeria’s historic hub for indigo and batik
• Textile creation connects artists to ancestral roots and identity
• Modern revival emphasizes sustainable, hand‑crafted fabric practices worldwide

Summary

Nike Davies‑Okundaye, a celebrated Nigerian textile artist, explains how indigo dye and the adire alabela technique embody the cultural heartbeat of Osogbo, a town she calls “Ilu Aro.” She frames fabric as an extension of skin, arguing that the cloth we wear carries our ancestral memory.

The artist describes adire alabela as a hand‑painted wax resist process, followed by immersion in indigo dye. In Osogbo, indigo has long been prized; the town’s name itself is linked to the colour, which locals regard as the “colour of love.” This tradition blends indigenous knowledge—beeswax resist, natural indigo extraction—with contemporary artistic expression.

Davies‑Okundaye emphasizes that “the closest thing to your skin is your fabric,” underscoring how textile creation reconnects creators to their roots. She also notes the resurgence of hand‑crafted techniques among younger designers seeking sustainable, culturally resonant materials.

The revival signals a broader shift toward eco‑friendly, heritage‑driven fashion. As global consumers demand authenticity, Nigerian indigo textiles could command premium markets, while preserving intangible cultural heritage and supporting local economies.

Original Description

Artist Nike Davies-Okundaye told us about the importance of textiles in Nigerian art and the legacy of the Osogbo School.

Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/Fsj-IIhtAgM

See Davies-Okundaye's works as part of the landmark exhibition Nigerian Modernism, on display at Tate Modern until 10 May 2026: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/nigerian-modernism