⸬︎ Chiadikōbi Nwaubani. 2.1991. Nigerian/British.
⸬︎ moc.liamg@inabuawnibokidaihc

Meanings.

Initiation is my main focus: the start of a transition between two points, more specifically here, resulting in a mix of ideas or styles, and a traditional rite of passage, that is, identity, ritual and ceremony, as well as communication between in-groups and out-groups, conventions of a visible and hidden partly defining traditional art in my community in Nigeria. I draw iconic figures in transition and in singular events like the rite of initiation. The icons also initiate a larger narrative encompassing the marriage between indigenous and Western influences in my work, and the general and personal history behind that.

Masquerading festivals in my community in Nigeria felt like steps back in time, yet maskers kept performances fresh by including characters from current events and commentaries on modern issues. The festivals are a source of inspiration for me for this ‘marriage’.

My drawings partly follow ùrì sensibilities, a traditional art style of Ìgbò women that inspired Nsukka Group artists. Stylistic elements that I have lifted from the canon include an abundant use of black, silhouetted images, symbolic representation, a mural form, and a focus on improvisation, as well as other aspects of indigenous art like frontalism. I also deal with dualism and aspects of philosophy, numerology, and cosmology.

Me.

I was born in London and spent formative years between this city and Nigeria: Umuahia, Enugu, and Lagos, in urban and rural areas, especially my community, Umukabia. I am a citizen of Nigeria and the UK. I started actively painting in 2017. One of the paintings exhibited here, Ishi ogologo, 2017, ‘long head’, was my reference for most of the work shown, painted between ‘22 and ‘23. I work mainly with oil paints on canvases, linen, wood, cardboard, and paper, including found or recycled surfaces.

Résumé

[Re:]Entanglements: Colonial Collections in Decolonial Times. Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, Cambridge. 22 June 2021 — 20 April 2022.

⸬︎ Chiadikōbi Nwaubani. 2.1991. Nigerian/British.
⸬︎ moc.liamg@inabuawnibokidaihc

Meanings.

I've focused on the process of initiation from the traditional perspective of my community in Nigeria as it relates to notions of identity, ritual and ceremony, divulgence of esoteric knowledge, and communication.

Masquerading festivals in my community are an inspiration, as well as ùrì sensibilities, a traditional art style of Ìgbò women largely exhibited in mural form. I've incorporated mixed perspectives between modern art and traditional art.

Me.

I was born in London and spent formative years between this city and Nigeria. I started actively painting in 2017. As of now, I work mainly with oil paints on canvases, linen, wood, cardboard, and paper, including found or recycled surfaces, mostly wood.

Résumé

[Re:]Entanglements: Colonial Collections in Decolonial Times (2021). [Exhibition]. Museum of Archaeology &s; Anthropology, Cambridge. 22 June 2021 — 20 April 2022.