Flow

Nnenna Okore, who returns to her native Nigeria from the United Sates, is one of the foremost artists of her generation. She is celebrated internationally for her largely abstract works, which are inspired by textures, colors and landscapes, created mostly from discarded materials in her environment. Okore relies on the use of flotsam or discarded objects, which are transformed into intricate sculptures and installations through repetitive and labor-intensive techniques.

Most of Okore's works explore detailed surfaces and organic formations and her art processes include weaving, sewing, rolling, twisting and dyeing fabric and intricately shaped pieces of ceramic into impressive, tactile wall hangings.

“I am drawn to uniquely tactile characteristics of the collective physical world. I am astounded by natural phenomena that cause things to become weathered, dilapidated and lifeless - those events slowly triggered by aging, death and decay - and subtly captured in the fluid and delicate nature of life,” says Nnenna, whose art takes some of its inspiration from the natural rows and patterns of African landscapes, markets and even fashion and hairdos.

Walking through her Flow exhibition, art lovers will find themselves intrigued by ceramic wall hangings that flow like cloth, and cloth sculptures named “predicament” and “memory” that have taken on another identity through hardened textures.