Minne Atairu


Minne Atairu is a Nigerian interdisciplinary artist, a recipient of the 2021 Global South Award Lumen Prize for Art and Technology. She generates synthetic Benin Bronzes through recombination of historical fragments, sculptures, texts, images, and sounds.

Early life and education

Atairu was born in Benin, Nigeria.
She holds a bachelor's degree in art history from the University of Maiduguri in Maiduguri, Nigeria; a master's degree in museum studies from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; and a doctorate in art education from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Her academic research integrates artificial intelligence, art/museum education and hip-hop based education.

Works

Atairu's artmaking involves using artificial intelligence to make artwork. She uses tools such as Midjourney and Blender software to develop her works.

''Mami Wata''

Her first work is a Yoruba goddess called Mami Wata where she used Midjourney in generating the images.

''To the Hand''

For her 2023 installation To the Hand at The Shed arts center, she worked with Blender to convert text into 3D-printed sculptures made of corn starch or sugarcane infused with bronze. The rings of ground terra-cotta that surround the sculpture represent the walls and deep moats of Benin.

Publications