Pure Water introduces a critical and ironic reference to Idu’s aspiration for a balanced world, while the term also refers to the plastic and sachets drinking “pure water”, used to quench the thirst of millions of Nigerians within heavily populated and polluted city centers. These water sachets clog up the drains and waterways, becoming an environmental hazard which affects people’s quality of life.
The show, which is in partnership with SMO Contemporary Art, presents a compelling exploration of ecology, migration, innocence, and liberty through the evocative visages of women and children, swimming in a pristine underwater world.
Rooted deeply in the lived realities of riverine communities, Idu’s striking compositions navigate the complex interplay between human survival and aquatic ecosystems.
The work draws the viewer into an immersive natural world in which swimmers float and move with an apparent sense of intention, evoking a space of wonder and possibility. The figures drift within a pristine ecosystem removed from the restrictions of the world above.
