ABOUT Merlin
Merlin is an artist, scientist, and writer from Ibadan, Nigeria living and working in Edmonton, Alberta. With an academic background in economics and environmental science, her practice is multi-disciplinary; working across fashion and textile arts, visual and digital arts, poetry, fiction and nonfiction.
I am an interdisciplinary artist and storyteller. My work focuses on African culture, beauty and identity. Experienced as a fashion and textile designer, writing, photography and directing, my personal and collaborative endeavors are about honoring how people of African descent interact with the global economy, society and the environment.
Education
2020 University of Alberta, MSc Environmental Science
2016 University of Alberta, BA Economics and Mathematics
Workshops, Classes and Talks
2023 Indigo: Textile Dyeing and painting workshop, Roots on 6, Edmonton, AB
2023 Beading with Natural Elements workshop - Islamic Family & Social Services
Association, curated by Latitude 53 gallery, Edmonton, AB
2023 Collective Weaving: Upcycling Workshop, Ociciwan Butterfly Garden, Edmonton, AB
2023 Feeding the Hearth: composting and writing workshop, Latitude 53 Gallery, Edmonton, AB
2023 Melanin Narratives, Artist Panel, Sugar Swing Ballroom, Edmonton, AB
2023 Material Intelligence, Online Class, NDIDI Design.
2023 Sacred Adornment, Online Class, NDIDI Design.
2022 African Beading workshop, Downtown Farmers Market, Edmonton, AB
2020 Awaken, Artist Panel, Black Arts Matter, Edmonton, AB
2019 Melanin Roots, Artist Panel, City of Edmonton Youth Council, Edmonton, AB
2020 Rise Edmonton Roundtable, Artist Panel, Apathy is Boring, Edmonton, AB
Exhibitions and Commissions
2024 Mirage The historic Pendennis Building, Group Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
2024 Vibrant Roots, Co. Lab Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
2023 Otherworld, The Rutherford House, Group Exhibition, Calgary, AB
2023 Textile Commision, Augusta Textiles SS24 Collection, Edmonton, AB
2022 The sublime Feminine, The Aviary Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
2019 Resilience, Rutherford Library, Group Exhibition,Curated by PACE, Edmonton, AB
2019 Outset, The Film and Video Arts Society, Group Exhibition, curated by Peppr’d
Edmonton, AB
2019 Black Arts Matter, Arts Barn, Group Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
Costume Designer
2024 Ogbo, A Ribbon Rouge production, Arts Barn Theatre, Edmonton, Alberta, CA
2022 Breaking Grounds, La Cite Francophone Theater, The Magpie Collective, Edmonton, AB
2022 The Rise of Afrobeats in the Prairies , Media21 Production & Telus TV, Edmonton,
2021 SHEA, Short Film, Directed by Nasra Adem, Edmonton, AB
2020 WFTS, Short Film, Directed by Chidera Ihiejireka, Edmonton, AB
2020 Three Ladies, Hip-hop and the Park, Studio Theatre, Edmonton, AB