British-born Nigerian artist Joshua Idehen is gaining global attention for his new multidisciplinary showcase titled Mum Does the Washing, a poignant reflection on memory, migration, and cultural identity. The project merges spoken word, visual storytelling, and music to interrogate postcolonial trauma, domestic rituals, and the complexity of the African diaspora experience.
In an interview with Reuters, Idehen explained how the piece draws from both his Nigerian upbringing and life in the UK. “I’m inspired by everyday life, but also by the political — how bodies, language, and migration carry politics whether we want them to or not,” he said.
He cites diverse influences, from Fela Kuti’s cultural defiance to Dolly Parton’s narrative clarity, describing them as unexpected mentors in navigating art that is both intimate and globally resonant. Idehen is also vocal about the need for African artists to resist being boxed into stereotypical frameworks by the Western gaze.
Why it matters: Idehen’s work is part of a growing wave of African creatives shaping international discourse on identity, representation, and transnational belonging. His approach challenges the line between art and activism, offering a lens into how African voices are redefining global culture — not as guests, but as architects of the conversation.