Odili Donald Odita: Songs from Life

Odili Donald Odita: Songs from Life

Through Spring 2026

MoMA

Odili Donald Odita’s monumental commission in MoMA’s lobby transforms the space with vibrant colors and abstract patterns that cascade like a kaleidoscope around visitors. The artist uniquely draws inspiration from music, marking its first time as the primary creative fuel in his process. Odita’s expansive floor-to-ceiling installation, painted over six weeks with flat acrylic latex paint, offers an immersive experience where color becomes a powerful expression of freedom and transformation.

The work animates MoMA’s lobby as a communal space, much like music, which the artist notes can produce a shared energy that influences the body and spirit. Each section of the installation is paired with a curated selection of songs that deepen the thematic connection to diverse life experiences, emphasizing the gathering of people from varied backgrounds in this dynamic public area. The vibrancy and rhythm of the piece invite viewers to engage not only visually but also emotionally, evoking the liberating and connective qualities that music imparts.

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