Ójé mbà
(the traveller)
A celebration of Igbo worldview through art and poetry.
Exhibiting artists
Chiagoziem Nneamaka
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chiagoziem started expressing herself through art early on. Witnessing the evolution and dilution of her heritage, she uses her figures and lines to preserve and celebrate its fading beauty.
Drawn to female forms, she discovered the intricate lines of Nsibidi symbols, weaving them into her work for a uniquely authentic style. Inspired by her culture’s activities and beliefs, she explores human stories, personalities, and spirituality on canvas.
Finding solace in art, she escapes anxieties and connects with her inner self, finding healing in each brushstroke. Her subjects range from daily life to masquerades, their energy, gestures, and rhythms echoing the fusion of Igbo Uli and Nsibidi aesthetics.
One captivating motif is the Agbọghọmmụọ, a male dancer embodying the spirit of a maiden. This duality of masculine energy guided by feminine vibrations fascinates Chiagoziem, inspiring her to capture the fluidity and balance within this unique tradition.
Chiagoziem studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Igbobinna Eze
Igboobinna Eze, was born in the year 2000 in Nsukka, Enugu State where he currently resides and works as a full-time studio artist. He is a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, majoring in painting.
He has a profound understanding of indigenous art idioms such as the Uli design and the Nsibidi symbols- two agelong artistic concepts of design and creativity found among the Igbo people of Nigeria.
These two design concepts are known to have inspired the famous Nsukka Artists/Art school at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and has helped propel this young artist’s ideas to a place of strength and discovery of “his own lines”, ideas and style. In his recent drawing series, the Nsukka series, he has been able to show a great level of dexterity and mastery of the aforementioned indigenous design concepts.
He has worked on various commercial projects both internationally and locally and has participated in five exhibitions so far.
He is currently working on a body of work that discusses the pure and innocent nature of children and the influences that mould.them as they grow into the enigma called man.
Martin Okonkwo
Martin Okonkwo is an experienced illustrator, graphic designer and multiple award-winning comic book creator, artist and writer. His experience in the creative field spans more than a decade and a half. He has worked on illustrations, art direction, storyboards, design and branding for numerous notable clients, including: Derby CAN, Deloitte, United Nations, Sterling Bank, Nestle, etc.
He is the founder of Epoch Comics, an African-centric brand of comics.
He is the creator of several popular Nigerian comic book titles like: AEGIS, Barikisu, Teen Angels, The Seraph, Pterygote, The Prophecy, Moondust, to name a few
He lives in Derby, England, United Kingdom with his wife and children. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria.
Chike Felix Uzoka
Chike Felix Uzoka is a sculptor and painter with a vast knowledge of various sculpting mediums ranging from clay to sand, wood, stone and metal etc. At the moment, he is focused on environmental sustainability in art by recycling old into papier-mâché pieces in the round figures.
Chike graduated from the institute of management and technology (IMT) , Enugu Nigeria as a sculpture major in 1995 and has since been in collaboration with other artists in group exhibitions in Nigeria at the British Council Enugu, and the French Consulate, as well as the art Council Abuja, and several commissions in multiple cooperate bodies and private collections.
Chike is married with two daughters and currently resides in Derby, Derbyshire UK.
Ndukwe Onuoha
Ndukwe is a copywriter by day and a poet by design.
In 2020 he was endorsed by Arts Council England for his work in poetry and moved to the UK with his family the following year.
Ndukwe’s poetry is inspired by questions about his Igbo identity as well as his own journey to self. His style fuses a unique conversational delivery with traditional and modern instrumentation to deliver poetry that is accessible, relatable and at once punchy.
His short film, Ada Ani (The Awakening), was inspired by Igbo mythology, and the desire to tell Igbo stories with authenticity, and from an Igbo perspective. It has been well-received by festivals.
Date: 16 March – 20th April 2024.
Venue: The Small Print Company
Friary Villas
2-3 Friary Street
Derby,
DE1 1JF
Partners
We Are Griots
07513207683
Ójé mbà
(the traveller)
A celebration of Igbo worldview through art and poetry.
Exhibiting artists
Chiagoziem Nneamaka
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chiagoziem started expressing herself through art early on. Witnessing the evolution and dilution of her heritage, she uses her figures and lines to preserve and celebrate its fading beauty.
Drawn to female forms, she discovered the intricate lines of Nsibidi symbols, weaving them into her work for a uniquely authentic style. Inspired by her culture’s activities and beliefs, she explores human stories, personalities, and spirituality on canvas.
Finding solace in art, she escapes anxieties and connects with her inner self, finding healing in each brushstroke. Her subjects range from daily life to masquerades, their energy, gestures, and rhythms echoing the fusion of Igbo Uli and Nsibidi aesthetics.
One captivating motif is the Agbọghọmmụọ, a male dancer embodying the spirit of a maiden. This duality of masculine energy guided by feminine vibrations fascinates Chiagoziem, inspiring her to capture the fluidity and balance within this unique tradition.
Chiagoziem studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Igbobinna Eze
Igboobinna Eze, was born in the year 2000 in Nsukka, Enugu State where he currently resides and works as a full-time studio artist. He is a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, majoring in painting.
He has a profound understanding of indigenous art idioms such as the Uli design and the Nsibidi symbols- two agelong artistic concepts of design and creativity found among the Igbo people of Nigeria.
These two design concepts are known to have inspired the famous Nsukka Artists/Art school at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and has helped propel this young artist’s ideas to a place of strength and discovery of “his own lines”, ideas and style. In his recent drawing series, the Nsukka series, he has been able to show a great level of dexterity and mastery of the aforementioned indigenous design concepts.
He has worked on various commercial projects both internationally and locally and has participated in five exhibitions so far.
He is currently working on a body of work that discusses the pure and innocent nature of children and the influences that mould.them as they grow into the enigma called man.
Martin Okonkwo
Martin Okonkwo is an experienced illustrator, graphic designer and multiple award-winning comic book creator, artist and writer. His experience in the creative field spans more than a decade and a half.
He has worked on illustrations, art direction, storyboards, design and branding for numerous notable clients, including: Derby CAN, Deloitte, United Nations, Sterling Bank, Nestle, etc.
He is the founder of Epoch Comics, an African-centric brand of comics.
He is the creator of several popular Nigerian comic book titles like: AEGIS, Barikisu, Teen Angels, The Seraph, Pterygote, The Prophecy, Moondust, to name a few
He lives in Derby, England, United Kingdom with his wife and children. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria.
Chike Felix Uzoka
Chike Felix Uzoka is a sculptor and painter with a vast knowledge of various sculpting mediums ranging from clay to sand, wood, stone and metal etc. At the moment, he is focused on environmental sustainability in art by recycling old into papier-mâché pieces in the round figures.
Chike graduated from the institute of management and technology (IMT) , Enugu Nigeria as a sculpture major in 1995 and has since been in collaboration with other artists in group exhibitions in Nigeria at the British Council Enugu, and the French Consulate, as well as the art Council Abuja, and several commissions in multiple cooperate bodies and private collections.
Chike is married with two daughters and currently resides in Derby, Derbyshire UK.
Ndukwe Onuoha
Ndukwe is a copywriter by day and a poet by design.
In 2020 he was endorsed by Arts Council England for his work in poetry and moved to the UK with his family the following year.
Ndukwe’s poetry is inspired by questions about his Igbo identity as well as his own journey to self. His style fuses a unique conversational delivery with traditional and modern instrumentation to deliver poetry that is accessible, relatable and at once punchy.
His short film, Ada Ani (The Awakening), was inspired by Igbo mythology, and the desire to tell Igbo stories with authenticity, and from an Igbo perspective. It has been well-received by festivals.
Date: 16 March – 20th April 2024.
Venue: The Small Print Company
Friary Villas
2-3 Friary Street
Derby,
DE1 1JF
Partners
We Are Griots
07513207683
Ójé mbà
(the traveller)
A celebration of Igbo worldview through art and poetry.
Exhibiting artists
Chiagoziem Nneamaka
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chiagoziem started expressing herself through art early on. Witnessing the evolution and dilution of her heritage, she uses her figures and lines to preserve and celebrate its fading beauty.
Drawn to female forms, she discovered the intricate lines of Nsibidi symbols, weaving them into her work for a uniquely authentic style. Inspired by her culture’s activities and beliefs, she explores human stories, personalities, and spirituality on canvas.
Finding solace in art, she escapes anxieties and connects with her inner self, finding healing in each brushstroke. Her subjects range from daily life to masquerades, their energy, gestures, and rhythms echoing the fusion of Igbo Uli and Nsibidi aesthetics.
One captivating motif is the Agbọghọmmụọ, a male dancer embodying the spirit of a maiden. This duality of masculine energy guided by feminine vibrations fascinates Chiagoziem, inspiring her to capture the fluidity and balance within this unique tradition.
Chiagoziem studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Igbobinna Eze
Igboobinna Eze was born in the year 2000 in Nsukka, Enugu State where he currently resides and works as a full-time studio artist. He is a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, majoring in painting.
He has a profound understanding of indigenous art idioms such as the Uli design and the Nsibidi symbols- two agelong artistic concepts of design and creativity found among the Igbo people of Nigeria.
These two design concepts are known to have inspired the famous Nsukka Artists/Art school at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and has helped propel this young artist’s ideas to a place of strength and discovery of “his own lines”, ideas and style. In his recent drawing series, the Nsukka series, he has been able to show a great level of dexterity and mastery of the aforementioned indigenous design concepts.
He has worked on various commercial projects both internationally and locally and has participated in five exhibitions so far.
He is currently working on a body of work that discusses the pure and innocent nature of children and the influences that mould. them as they grow into the enigma called man.
Martin Okonkwo
Martin Okonkwo is an experienced illustrator, graphic designer and multiple award-winning comic book creator, artist and writer. His experience in the creative field spans more than a decade and a half. He has worked on illustrations, art direction, storyboards, design and branding for numerous notable clients, including: Derby CAN, Deloitte, United Nations, Sterling Bank, Nestle, etc.
He is the founder of Epoch Comics, an African-centric brand of comics.
He is the creator of several popular Nigerian comic book titles like: AEGIS, Barikisu, Teen Angels, The Seraph, Pterygote, The Prophecy, Moondust, to name a few
He lives in Derby, England, United Kingdom with his wife and children. He is a graduate of the University of Nigeria.
Chike Felix Uzoka
Chike Felix Uzoka is a sculptor and painter with a vast knowledge of various sculpting mediums ranging from clay to sand, wood, stone and metal etc. At the moment, he is focused on environmental sustainability in art by recycling old into papier-mâché pieces in the round figures.
Chike graduated from the institute of management and technology (IMT) , Enugu Nigeria as a sculpture major in 1995 and has since been in collaboration with other artists in group exhibitions in Nigeria at the British Council Enugu, and the French Consulate, as well as the art Council Abuja, and several commissions in multiple cooperate bodies and private collections.
Chike is married with two daughters and currently resides in Derby, Derbyshire UK.
Ndukwe Onuoha
Ndukwe is a copywriter by day and a poet by design.
In 2020 he was endorsed by Arts Council England for his work in poetry and moved to the UK with his family the following year.
Ndukwe’s poetry is inspired by questions about his Igbo identity as well as his own journey to self. His style fuses a unique conversational delivery with traditional and modern instrumentation to deliver poetry that is accessible, relatable and at once punchy.
His short film, Ada Ani (The Awakening), was inspired by Igbo mythology, and the desire to tell Igbo stories with authenticity, and from an Igbo perspective. It has been well-received by festivals.
Date: 16 March – 20th April 2024.
Venue: The Small Print Company
Friary Villas
2-3 Friary Street
Derby,
DE1 1JF
Partners