Born in Nigeria and educated in both the UK and US, Olukemi Lijadu has a multicultural background that reflects her broad range of interests and talents. Olukemi, also known as “Kem Kem,” is a is a multi-disciplinary artist, DJ and philosopher. Her work particularly focuses on the power of cinema, which she uses to create sonic journeys to draw attention to different cultures and moments in time.
Olukemi Lijadu has been featured for her artistic projects across various platforms and has created a multi-channel film installation titled “Guardian Angel.” Her cinematic work explores personal experiences and the intricate network of relationships within African anthropology and society. Themes that Olukemi is particularly interested in often relate to the body as an art form and draw attention to Black womanhood. “Kem Kem” is also known for her popular live performances and DJ sets that create immersive soundscapes.
Olukemi Lijadu is also fascinated by African philosophy and the different ways in which it is interpreted within the context of a Western world. According to Olukemi Lijadu’s thesis research, “the Western world priorities the written word as law. However, a lot of African philosophical thought has been passed down orally. The problem with Western modes of research is that they prioritise the written text as the foremost source martial. So, when looking at African philosophy, there is a tension, as most of that is oral”.
