ART in the PARK:
Memory in the Material
Woodruff Park – Atlanta, GA
april 24, 2025 – june 17, 2025
Miles (2020) by Olu Amoda. Image by Crystal Alexis
A series of sculptures by Olu Amoda inviting viewers to reflect on how memory is preserved and reimagined through assemblage.
At the heart of this process is quilting—the tender act of joining fragments, and stitching stories into layered compositions that speak to memory, continuity, and repair. Through the weaving of disparate elements—metal, nails, bolts, and other remnants—Amoda reveals the emotional and cultural resonance embedded in the objects we leave behind. Memory in the Material exists as a public meditation—on the histories these materials hold, the shifting nature of identity, and the trends of time towards transformation.
About Olu Amoda
c/o Olu Amoda
Olu Amoda is a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, and an artist whose sculptural language, developed over the past four decades, is defined by its distinctive character and material beauty. Working across sculpture, murals, furniture design, and multimedia, Amoda is best known for repurposing industrial debris—rusty nails, metal plates, bolts, pipes, and rods—into intricate works that explore the layered realities of contemporary life. His human, animal, and abstract forms reflect on themes such as identity, conflict, consumerism, and economic disparity.
Amoda earned a degree in sculpture from Auchi Polytechnic in Nigeria and a Master of Fine Arts from Georgia Southern University in the United States. His work has been exhibited internationally at institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), Museum of Art and Design (New York), Skoto Gallery (New York), Didi Museum (Nigeria), WIPO Headquarters (Switzerland), and Art Twenty One (Nigeria). He has also completed residencies at Villa Arson (France), The Bag Factory (South Africa), Appalachian State University (North Carolina), and the New York Design Museum.
Opening Reception
Join us at
Memory in the Material
Thursday, April 24, 2025
12 PM – 1:30 PM
Woodruff Park
91 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA
Featuring music by DJ Dell Harris, and a live performance by Manga African Dance.
DJ DELL HARRIS
Dell Harris is a talented and innovative Lofi jazz beat producer hailing from ATL. With a unique style that seamlessly blends jazz influences with hazy Lofi textures and bouncy hiphop drums, Dell Harris has quickly made a name for himself in the music industry.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Tricky, and Juicy J, Dell Harris has crafted a signature sound that captivates listeners with its dreamy melodies and infectious beats. His ability to create intricate and captivating compositions has earned him recognition from both critics and fans alike.
MANGA AFRICAN DANCE
Manga was founded in 1990 by Dr. Ramatu Afegbua-Sabbatt and incorporated in the State of Georgia in 1999. Manga is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, present and teach indigenous African cultural arts through dance, drums, fashion, drama, songs, and more.
Manga’s high energy repertoire exhibits cultural traditions from Western, Central, and Southern Africa. Manga Dance Company offers a three pronged approach to products and service delivery. Dance is offered as entertainment, a healing modality, and educational platform to instruct audiences on the meaning and origins of indigenous African dances. During Manga’s 30 year history, audiences of all ages have experienced the best of African culture and arts!
About ART in the PARK
c/o Atlanta Downtown
The ART in the PARK program at Woodruff Park aims to present rotating public art installations by different artists throughout the year. Our intention is to engage with the public by bringing beauty and attention to the park, fostering community pride, and encouraging engagement. By showcasing a diverse array of artistic expressions, we seek to inspire residents and attract tourists, establishing Woodruff Park as a destination for innovative and captivating art. This program is designed to create a stronger connection between the community and the park, enhancing the cultural vibrancy of our urban space.
ART in the PARK is an initiative of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.
Memory in the Material is produced in collaboration with Atlanta Downtown Improvement District & Dashboard