Female artists exhibit their works at 2014 LABAF

No Need To Bleed by Numero Unoma (2011)

Nwosu Igbo

Yesterday Is Still Here by Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo (2014)

Offo Latinu by Odun Orimolade (2012)

Overwhelmed

I Have Loved Nigeria For Too Long by Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo (2014)

By ADA DIKE

Always Stumm by Numero Unoma (2011)

Emanating by Odun Orimolade (2013)

Notable female artists namely, Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo, Odun Orimolade and Numero Unoma, showcased their latest works which focused on self discovery at the recently ended 16th Lagos Book and Art Festival 2014 (LABAF) which held at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos from November 14 to 16, 2014.

Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo

During the exhibition, a Lagos-based artist, Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo added new pieces to her collection by showcasing unique works such as ‘Yesterday Is Still Here’ installation (2014), in which she said that the man in the picture is in chains, and because of that, people now think that he is a nonentity which is not right.

“This person is trying to say: Don’t judge me by whatever you imagine about me. He is trying to prove himself despite what people think about Africans due to their ancestors,” an interpreter of the work explained.

But looking at the work, one may guess that it is the way people that are taking care of Ebola patients dress, except the chains on his leg. “No, it is not. This is an identity. He is trying to cover himself from the negative vibes. When people see me as a black person abroad, they assume that I am a Nigerian and feel I am not British. This person is dragging his luggage and trying to free himself from the luggage, which signifies that the White may not want to give one chance to explain himself because they are suspecting you. He is saying, “Just give me a try to proof that I am not here to defraud anyone.”

In “I Have Loved Nigeria For Too Long, installation (2014)”, Nwosu-Igbo unveils the challenges people face as a country. “Everywhere is overcrowded. Some people are standing while others are sitting. There are a lot of challenges here and there and many people are complaining about lack of development, socio-economic problems and we are not helping ourselves.”

On why she chose Art as her career, she explained that she has always been creative. “That is the only field I could really be as expressive as I would really want to be.”

Distinguished from others through her works that has reflected on the educational system in Nigeria for over 10 years, the photographer, painter, and installation artist cum writer said what inspires her work includes anything that has to do with educating the Nigerian Child.

Projecting in the future for contemporary Nigerian Art, she says: “I think the Nigerian audience will begin to accept newer forms of art production and be eager to get challenged more.”

Born on September 29, 1973, in Onitsha, Nigeria, she studied Media Mixed Painting at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she was inspired by the works of Ben Udechukwu and Olu Oguibe.

She has done solo exhibitions including: Not Ready To Walk Away (2009), Implied Walls (2006), Creating Space, Erasing Space (2003) and Urban Ugliness (2001).

She also participated in several group exhibitions including Interrupted Lives (2012), Old News (2001) Closures and Enclosures (2009), Identities and Labels (2005), The Rediscovery of Uli (2005), Reflex (2004), The CHOGM exhibition (2003) and Hybrid (2000).

Numero Unoma

Another female artist, Numero Unoma, displayed some of her works at the festival. ‘No Need To Bleed’ photograph (2011) is a picture of battered and bruised woman. “It’s about women being abused in many parts of the world. She is saying, I don’t have to be abused or bleed, except when I am seeing my period.”

Always Stumm, photograph (2011) is also a battered woman whose breasts are almost popping out. “The ‘Always’ in her mouth means she is battered but cannot talk because she is gagged. Her black eyes are marks from the abuses.”

Unoma studied Psychology at the University of Ife, Osun State and then went into private banking, both to please her father. She later studied photography and multimedia at the University of the Westminster.

Unoma has exhibited in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and at home continent of Africa.

She is a founding member of Invisible Borders Photography Initiative but has parted ways with the group. She is a mother of three and a private person whose loves include watersports and the great outdoors. “Photography just happens to be the immediate medium for expression and creation right now. It hasn’t ever been the only one, and will never be.”

Odun Orimolade

‘Emanating’ by Odun Orimolade (2013), talks about the African identity and our roots. “Though we are from different parts, we are still one and facing many challenges. So a solution to one can equally be a solution to others.” She used graphite, pastel pencils and ink on paper to do it.

‘Offo Latinu’ graphite on paper also by Odun Orimolade (2012) talks about everything that makes us one. There are abuses, corruption here and there but if we can find solution to them, everyone would be happy. Also, as we grow older, we learn a lot and make amendment for a positive change.”

Orimolade, who lives with her family in Lagos, studied at the Yaba College of Technology, School of Art, Design and Printing.

Her recent works incorporates drawing, collage, mixed media, painting, etching, sculpture and performance art. Alongside her studio practice, she currently works in the Fine Art Department of

the School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology.

According to her, “Everything inspired my work.”

Another work on display at the festival is somebody being tied by things from the past and present. Everything including economic problem is holding him down. But he keeps complaining about government without managing his thing. “You don’t pay your taxes and do your civic responsibilities but want everything to be done by the government. Government cannot come and clear your gutters. The message is that we should leave our comfort zone and take a step to do the right thing. The slippers are footprints of people who have stepped out of their challenges but this person is still there complaining.”