I.B.Bayo

I was born in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, the ninth generation of a traditional weaving family. I learned to weave and dye from my mother, and to sew from my father who made clothing for Nigerian royalty. I remember sitting on his lap at the sewing machine when my leg could not yet reach the pedal. I attended the Niké Center for Art and Culture in Osogbo where I studied batik cloth dying, quilt making, reverse appliqué, clothing design, and painting. Niké is considered a national treasure in Nigeria for her artwork, and her school is dedicated to preserving traditional Yoruba art forms. In 1995, I joined a group of artists from the center known as, The Children of Osun, for a U.S. tour. We performed at diverse venues across the nation. I sang and played drum with the group, and designed our costumes. When I came to California for an art exhibit, I knew I had landed someplace special, a place that I have come to call home. I combine the hand-woven, hand-dyed, and embroidered fabrics made by my family in Nigeria with other fabrics to create my unique I.B.Bayo line. I also teach workshops in batik cloth dying, nigerian reverse appliqué, and hand-embroidery.