ART
At its heart is the work of artist and educator Isaiah “PZay” Aladejobi, who reclaims play as a powerful act of self-discovery and community building—particularly for Black men who are often pressured to put childish things aside. As a first-generation Nigerian American and DC native, Aladejobi bridges childhood wonder with adult responsibility, inviting visitors to explore how heritage and imagination shape identity. In this showcase, Kole’s modular forms become instruments of expression and connection, turning play into a canvas for cultural dialogue, healing, and shared possibility.
Winds of Becoming
Elegant and fluid, this sculpture captures the essence of movement, like waves, wind, or wings. The transparent blue elements evoke water and air, symbolizing change, fluidity, and becoming. The upward motion suggests growth and aspiration, while the clear material invites contemplation and openness. It feels like a dream taking shape, a gentle but determined transformation.
Fire Circle
This vibrant, radiant structure exudes energy and power. The flame-like elements erupt from a circular base, forming a protective, ceremonial ring. It feels both ancestral and futuristic, like a gathering space for storytelling, ritual, and creation. The hot colors invoke passion, community, and the heat of creative resistance. It’s alive with motion, grounded in purpose.
Rooted Memory
This vibrant green form feels alive, its layered, organic shapes resembling ferns, palms, or ancestral flora. Radiating from a central core, it echoes a sacred grove or a protective canopy. The sculpture honors a deep connection to land and heritage, merging nature with memory. The luminous green evokes spiritual vitality and a return to origin, inviting reflection on how cultural identity grows from both rooted traditions and lived experience. It speaks to lineage how identity is something you inherit, nurture, and shape anew.
Family Tree
Family Tree is the perfect embodiment of bridging the gap between nature and the city. By merging the beauty of nature with the modern structures of the city, this innovative creation brings together the best of both worlds. The organic materials used in the building blocks, inspired by nature itself, provide a unique texture and feel that’s unlike any other. By incorporating elements of African art, Family Tree pays homage to the rich history of the continent while simultaneously bringing it into the present. This is a true celebration of creativity, design, and the natural world.
Idols, Echoes, and Builders
This new Kole piece serves as a luminous shrine to memory, identity, and sacred play. Enclosed in glowing acrylic walls, the structure presents a multi-layered visual narrative—merging vibrant modular forms with etched silhouettes and scripture. The translucent figures resemble ancestral spirits, silently watching over a village of interconnected pieces that rise from the base like a spiritual cityscape. The inclusion of Psalm 115:4–8 deepens the work's contemplative tone, challenging viewers to reflect on what we idolize and how we build meaning. Radiating in neon hues, the material itself becomes a symbol of cultural preservation and creative light. Positioned at the intersection of art, faith, and intergenerational dialogue, this Kole piece transforms play into an act of remembrance and reverence.