Some of the most well-known African artists of the present day call Nigeria home; the country’s artistic legacy includes Ben Enwonwu, Uche Okeke and Bruce Onobrakpeya, Peju Alatise, and many others. Today, however, it is artists like Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Victor Ehikhamenor, Nengi Omuku, Alimi Adewale, and Modupeola Fadugba who motivate and are sought after by art collectors everywhere.
Nigerian modern and contemporary art is bursting with fervor, humor, opinions, strength, and variety. You will learn more about this and other things in this audio series.
In this second episode, Jonas Schwarz Lausten talks with the incredibly gifted Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku, who studied formally at London’s Slade School of Fine Art.
Her exquisite figurative oil paintings explore issues pertaining to the human body and the ways in which individuals adjust in order to preserve a sense of identity. Omuku uses traditional West African fabrics like sanyan and aso oke to carefully paint her subjects, which are deeply saturated in identity and difference. This traditional fabric was initially woven using cotton and a wild moth silk blend.
Nengi’s goal is to produce art that is meaningful and has an effect. She uses empathy as a source of inspiration throughout her creative process. Nengi was keen to reaffirm her connection to her country when she returned to Nigeria in 2012 after finishing her studies. She found inspiration in collecting textiles, especially the traditional “Sanyan.” Nengi attempts to highlight the beauty and diversity of Nigeria’s traditions through her artwork as she investigates the complexities of Nigerian culture. Her work continues to make a major contribution to the field of contemporary art and has received widespread local and international acclaim. She has shown her work at numerous venues, including the Bangkok Art Biennale, the World Trade Organization’s headquarters, the Yemisi Shyllon Gallery of Art in Lagos, and many more.
Listen to the episode here.
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Follow Nengi Omuku on Instagram @nengiomuku
Music is from Pixabay and the theme song “Start Again” is by Nigerian singersong writer Falana. Sculpture on podcast cover by Alimi Adewale.
