Women of the Elephant Tusk is an exhibition of eight large scale paintings by REWA, a rising global visual artist, who traces the story of initiation into the Otu Odu female chieftancy group in Onitsha, eastern Nigeria. Through the artists’ two year exploration of family history and archival materials, researching intimate narratives about the roles and experiences of members of Otu Odu, REWA shares a compelling story of how traditional women leaders in her hometown, have safeguarded profound traditional knowledge systems and values.
REWA’s portraits reflect the tight relational bonds within culturally diverse communities. Her bold use of color within a complex web of geometric shapes, giving a stained glass effect, reflect her artistic sensitivity and depth of expression. The portrait of her British maternal grandmother, who was a proud member of the society, reveals a wonderful diversity of cultures within African traditional societies.
REWA’s paintings take on an intimate journey of inspiration and initiation, connecting ancient social influencers with contemporary women’s groups in Nigeria and within Onitsha communities in the Diaspora. It is a story of pride and female empowerment.