Agbogho II by Chizitalu "Chiizii" Uwechia

AGBOGHO II.

CHIZITALU “CHIIZII” UWECHIA

MA FINE ART, 2018-2019, CHELSEA.

Art direction can help show one’s authentic self. I can lead to the discovery of one’s authentic self. These works, apart of the “Agbogho Chizitalu” collection were all created in a period of intentional self discovery. A period of researching my family and ancestry. The research and creation of these works have served as a mirror to my authentic self.

Nwaka Okparaeke

Artist background / practice: Art is the language in which I best communicate, it has become the tool which I use to explore narratives that are misrepresented, unaccounted for or have only just begun to be discussed.

I am both an artist and designer, raised in New York and born of Igbo heritage. The last four years of my life has been spent in London learning and practicing my craft. My work consists of multiple mediums; painting, collage, textiles, and audio amongst others. It serves as a means of social commentary, expression of thoughts and analysis of non-American cultural practices. There is an emphasis on the intersection of ethnicity, gender and race, where blackness is present but the intersections are the focus.

Nwaka Okparaeke

Does Art direction aid Authenticity?

Art direction does aid authenticity. Having a unique vision, a vision specific to one’s heart or mind and bringing it to life can only be authentic. In my practice art direction is an inevitable part of the process. Selecting materials , planning layouts , following colour schemes that align with a projects purpose is authentic.

The research (reading, watching , listening) to find what is useful creates work that is genuine to investigation . No two people process information entirely the same, so once true exploration is done, organised and directed it is real.

“Agbogho Chizitalu” aligns with this. The research I did was true to the vision I had, exploring what womanhood meant for me specifically and how my background influenced it. I could have been vague in my research and explored womanhood for women in their 20’s in London, black women or Nigerian women in general but that wouldn’t fit my vision. It wouldn’t have been authentic and I wouldn’t have learnt what I set out to. Choosing text written by Igbo authors, interviewing family members and self documentation led me to producing “Agbogho Chizitalu”

Nwaka Okparaeke