Masud Olufani in Conversation with Chef Kevin Nelson - Tuesday, July 7, 6-8pm
Join us Tuesday, July 7th for an evening of conversation exploring the artistic practice of Masud Olufani in celebration of the installation of his sculpture Okra Fly at Jasteka Cultural Center. Olufani’s multidisciplinary practice is rooted in the traditions of African foods and the role of African American cuisine in the continuation of that history, ancestor veneration, resilience, and cultural cohesion. “Food is a vessel of histories embedded within the seeds of okra and the meaty flesh of the yam,” writes Olufani. He will share a view into those histories and his artistic practice through conversation with Chef Kevin Nelson.
Image: Masud Olufani, Okra Fly, 2024. Carved wood, stain, stoneware, steel.
Free and open to the public.
Registration is not required but appreciated.
About Masud Olufani
Masud Olufani is an Atlanta based multidisciplinary artist, curator and educator. Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in multiple cities including New York, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, and Atlanta. He is an assistant professor of art and visiting arts fellow at Morehouse College. He also teaches at the United States Federal Prison in Atlanta, Georgia. The artist has exhibited his work nationally and internationally. He is a featured artist in the 2024 Dakar Biennale in Senegal. The artist is a summer 2025 resident at Yaddo. He is a NXTHVN Studio Fellow and he will be an artist in residence at Black Rock Senegal in 2026. He has completed other residencies at The Vermont Studio Center; The Hambidge Center for Arts and Sciences; and Tallier Portobello Norte in Panama. He is a 2018 Southern Arts Prize State Fellow; and a recipient of a 2015-16’ MOCA GA Working Artist Project Grant. The artist enjoys traveling, exercise, reading, and long meandering conversations.
About Chef Kevin Nelson
Chef Kevin Nelson is a Louisville-based private chef, culinary educator, author, and entrepreneur whose work celebrates the intersection of food, culture, and community. With more than 25 years of culinary experience, he is passionate about preserving traditions and sharing the stories that connect people through food.
Chef Kevin is the creator of Flavors 8 Seasoning, his signature all-purpose blend that was featured in local grocery stores and developed to make everyday cooking both approachable and flavorful. He is also the author of The Grace of 8: Healing Through Cooking, a cookbook that explores the connection between heritage, wellness, and the joy of gathering around the table. Drawing inspiration from Southern, African, Caribbean, French, and American cuisines, Chef Kevin combines classic techniques with bold flavors to create memorable dining experiences. He believes that food is a universal language that nourishes both body and spirit and through his cooking, writing, and signature seasoning, Chef Kevin continues to inspire others to discover that every recipe has a story and every meal is an opportunity to bring people together.