Taiba Akhuetie, a London-based artist who uses human and synthetic hair as her primary medium, is preparing for her first solo exhibition at the Sarabande Foundation. Her unsettling, taxidermy-like sculptures transform everyday objects—handbags, mirrors, rocking chairs, and umbrellas—into eerie, hair-covered artworks. Akhuetie began her career as a braider, founding the salon Keash Braids in Peckham, and pivoted to sculptural work during the pandemic. Her creations have attracted high-profile clients including Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, and Nigerian singer Tems, and have been featured by Vogue.
Akhuetie's work matters because it elevates Black hair—a historically politicized and marginalized medium—into the realm of fine art, challenging boundaries between craft, fashion, and sculpture. Her success reflects a broader cultural shift in which braiding and natural hair are celebrated as both identity-affirming practices and legitimate artistic expression. By attracting major celebrity patrons and institutional recognition, Akhuetie is helping to redefine what constitutes 'art' and who gets to make it, while also opening doors for other artists working with non-traditional materials.