When It Rains, I’ll Send For You is a compelling sequel to the larger installation Sim and the Yellow Glass Birds, which was previously showcased at Frieze Sculpture in 2022. This new piece continues the narrative of Sim, a nine-year-old child who was rented out for five years as a domestic servant—an unfortunate reality still prevalent in Nigeria.

Peju Alatise’s work does not dwell on the perpetrators or the exploitation itself; rather, she creates immersive spaces where children can embrace fantasy worlds, and adults can reconnect with their inner child. By incorporating Yoruba cosmology and folklore into her artistic practice, Alatise offers a deep reflection on Nigeria’s heritage and history, using them as tools to contemplate its present and future.

Currently exhibited at the African Centre, When It Rains, I’ll Send For You provides a thought-provoking experience within this cultural space, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, identity, and social consciousness.

Through her multidisciplinary approach, Peju Alatise consistently challenges societal norms in Africa and beyond. Her work spans a variety of mediums, techniques, and materials, all while utilizing Yoruba folklore to address pressing socio-political issues. When It Rains, I’ll Send For You stands as another powerful testament to her mission of storytelling, cultural preservation, and advocacy through art.