“Ọmụgwo’, by multidisciplinary artist Victoria Ndubuisi, invites viewers into the intimate and transformative journey of motherhood through a lens both personal and universal. The title, derived from the Igbo language of South-Eastern Nigeria, embodies the essence of nurturing—a vital process in which family and community come together to support a new mother in her early days of motherhood.
Through the mediums of paintings, installation and performance, Ndubuisi’s art offers a candid reflection on the physical and emotional landscapes of motherhood. The exhibition balances the joyous milestones with the often-gruesome realities of the journey, encouraging viewers to engage in a dialogue about the holistic needs of mothers.
Victoria’s distinctive approach to painting captures attention in a remarkable way. She employs a marbling technique for the background of her artwork, which she creates through performance art. By pouring paint onto her body while performing on the canvas, she produces the intricate marbling that serves as the foundation for her paintings.
Image courtesy of NAG
In this solo exhibition, Victoria Ndubuisi, a new mother herself, explores the multifaceted experiences that lead to motherhood, from the early stages of pregnancy through childbirth and into the crucial moments that precede the ọmụgwọ phase. Her work captures the profound joys and challenges of these phases, emphasizing that the nurturing process is not confined to the postpartum period but is essential throughout the entire journey of motherhood. Each piece serves as a narrative thread woven from her own experiences and those of mothers within her community, highlighting the importance of continuous care for mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Central to the exhibition is the concept of communal care, a cornerstone of the ọmụgwọ tradition. Traditionally, it is the mother’s mother or the partner’s mother who steps in to provide essential support during this vulnerable period. Ndubuisi emphasizes that nurturing can extend beyond biological ties, illustrating how family connections and community involvement play a critical role in fostering well-being for both mother and child.
“As an igbo woman, ọmụgwọ is a very important practice that we offer new moms, which helps them learn how to nurture and care for their babies. It is also essential in this time that the new mother is equally taken care of, to avoid issues of postpartum depression. The advice I would give to new mothers is to embrace all the feelings that come with the experience, to practice self-care and to seek support when needed” – Victoria Ndubusi.
Victoria Ndubuisi, born and raised in the creative environment of Badagry, uses her art to raise awareness about cultural heritage, personal stories, exploration on themes of identity and transformation, examining how the past and present shape our future. She graduated from Corporate DanceWorld in 2015 and holds a Higher National Diploma in Painting and a National Diploma in Fine Art from Yaba College of Technology, where she graduated in 2022. Now a full-time artist in Lagos, she continually pushes her creative boundaries.
“Ọmụgwọ” is a celebration of resilience, the power of community, and the deep-rooted traditions that shape our understanding of care and support. It serves as a poignant reminder that nurturing is a shared responsibility, echoing the sentiment that every mother deserves a network of love and assistance as she navigates the profound changes that accompany new life.
The exhibition opens on Saturday, March 29th and is open until April 19th, 2025.
Additional information about Nomadic Art Gallery: www.nomadic-art.com
Contact:Ms. Mercy Imiegha
Gallery Director
Tel: +234 814 003 4651
E-mail: mercy@nomadic-art.com
