June 1 - July 15, 2017: Reception June 1, 5:30-7:30pm Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am to 6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Closed July 4
Nnenna Okore's abstract richly textured wall sculptures from recycled materials are organic structures that mimic the intricacies of the fabric, trees, bark, and topography of her native Nigeria. Okore's techniques of fraying, tearing, teasing, weaving, dyeing, waxing, accumulating, and sewing recall her childhood experiences, where she watched and participated in daily manual activities, like cooking, washing, harvesting, and fabricating brooms. Her sculptures interact with their environments the artist often strategically lights the work to cast shadows and highlight particular aspects of the work.
The 'Osimili' exhibition consists of sculptures that surround the viewer with works extending up the walls and onto the ceiling or into the center of the exhibition spaces. In the work 'Ndu bu Isi' (in Igbo means 'Life is the genesis of all things'), made of burlap, dye and wire, the essence of life is expressed through floral symbolism. 'Ndu bu Isi' centers on the enigmatic and phenomenal qualities of life. Derived from the variant name, 'Ndubisi' that is usually borne by the firstborn males in Igbo land, it captures the notion that (patrilineal) continuity only prevails with an added (male) life and is therefore the foundation of our existence. In this work, the artist states, "I aspire to represent through the use of visual metaphor, and vibrant elements the potency and ephemerality of life and its natural cycles."
The title of the exhibition, 'Osimili', the Igbo word for a huge body of water, alludes to the fluidity and volatility of life. By referencing organic elements in nature, such as roots, veins, and flora, the works highlight the complex dynamism of our cosmic existence - the animistic force that breathes life into matter. The inference to water underscores the phenomenon of transience and transformation. This exhibition expresses the theatrics of movement and flow, and the subtle reflections of aging, fragility, decay, materiality & ephemerality.
DISCLAIMER: Our aim is to continuously provide our
progressive audience with an open and interactive medium to view
and share relevant,
beneficial and interesting "career, economic, lifestyle and
networking" listings, ads, content and resources.
While the above information may be accurate and viable, the role
of Minority Professional Network, Inc. (MPN) is
strictly as a communications medium, and we do not
accept any responsibility for
cancellation, changes, errors, omissions, inconveniences, or any other form
of liability for any content
displayed or disseminated via our web sites, or e-marketing or social media
promotional services.
If there are any
doubts, we
encourage you to conduct additional research or contact the listed host or responsible entity.
CLICK HERE to inform us about any ads, listings or content
which appear to be
inappropriate,
fraudulent or misleading, or inconsistent with our theme and focus.