Nigerian visual artist Malik Afegbua found himself trending on social media after posting images of seniors looking stylish on a fashion runway.
Nigerian visual artist Malik Afegbua found himself trending on social media after posting images of seniors looking stylish on a fashion runway.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
Afegbua created the images, titled "The Elders Series," after his mother had a stroke. "I wanted to think about her in a happy place," he said.
Afegbua created the images, titled "The Elders Series," after his mother had a stroke. "I wanted to think about her in a happy place," he said.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
Although the images look like photos, they were created using AI platform Midjourney and Photoshop.
Although the images look like photos, they were created using AI platform Midjourney and Photoshop.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
"When it comes to AI, you put in a text prompt, it gives you something random -- you keep going to different depths until you find what you want," said Afegbua of the process.
"When it comes to AI, you put in a text prompt, it gives you something random -- you keep going to different depths until you find what you want," said Afegbua of the process.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
Afegbua says that since he shared the images he has been praised for presenting older people in a positive light.
Afegbua says that since he shared the images he has been praised for presenting older people in a positive light.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
"I've had many associations that have to do with the elderly contact me asking how we can collaborate," he said.
"I've had many associations that have to do with the elderly contact me asking how we can collaborate," he said.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
Afegbua has used AI in other projects, including creating a virtual futuristic African city called "Ngochola." Here humans and technology "communicate without saying a word," he said.
Afegbua has used AI in other projects, including creating a virtual futuristic African city called "Ngochola." Here humans and technology "communicate without saying a word," he said.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity
Afegbua says he wanted the city to reflect ancient African civilizations, and "the power that technology would play in that society" in a world where colonialism never happened.
Afegbua says he wanted the city to reflect ancient African civilizations, and "the power that technology would play in that society" in a world where colonialism never happened.
Malik Afegbua/SlickCity