Outlaw II continues Bukola Orioye’s reflection on identity, belonging, and quiet defiance. The figure, dignified and unwavering, wears the symbolic language of nationhood stars and stripes draped across the body; yet her expression resists the simplicity of allegiance. Her hair, shaped like wings and tied with red and blue ribbons, echoes both flight and restraint, symbolizing the dualities of pride and burden, freedom and conformity.
Through his masterful blend of realism and symbolism, Orioye redefines what it means to be “outlawed”, not through rebellion, but through authenticity. The work challenges systems that marginalize difference, reclaiming the right to exist beyond prescribed narratives. Outlaw II stands as a powerful meditation on visibility, resilience, and the courage to embody truth in a world that demands assimilation.
