Entrance wall, main level
Glorious Bones, by London-born artist Esmaa Mohamoud, is a series of artworks comprising repurposed football helmets adorned with vivid Kente patterns. A symbol of spiritual power, Kente originated in West Africa and was traditionally aligned with royalty and sacred practices. Museum London acquired three works from this series in 2020, in conjunction with the solo exhibition Esmaa Mohamoud: To Play in the Face of Certain Defeat, which the Museum organized and toured nationally from 2020 to 2022.
Glorious Bones addresses the professional sports world’s suppression of individuality, and the classification of bodies—particularly Black bodies—in ways that reflect broader, longstanding societal inequalities and systemic racism. The empty helmets can feel ominous, conveying a sense of loss or erasure. However, as its title suggests, the work is also celebratory. Mohamoud's imaginative presentation emphasizes the cultural diversity that exists in the city and across Canada. Her work also highlights the power of individuals expressing their identities in unique ways.
About the Artist
The African-Canadian artist Esmaa Mohamoud was born and raised in London, Ontario. She is based in Brooklyn. Mohamoud has participated in group exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Art and Design in New York City, and the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. In addition to Museum London, her work is in collections of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, National Gallery of Canada, and Art Gallery of Ontario, among others.
Image: Esmaa Mohamoud, from the series Glorious Bones, 2018, used football helmets, African wax print textile, adhesive, Collection of Museum London, Gift of Esmaa Mohamoud and Purchase, John H. and Elizabeth Moore Acquisition Fund, 2020