Legacies of Empire: Myth, Language and Object

This report is a reflective analysis of my journey as an artist, focusing on exploring and documenting the intersection between art and history, particularly in response to myths and personal cultural experiences. Through various artistic mediums such as installation, painting, sculpture, and drawing, I critically investigate narratives that have been discredited. Drawing inspiration from Nigerian and African aesthetic traditions, universal iconography, and self-originated symbology, I employ a range of materials, including ceramics, mosaic, wood, stone fragments, epoxy, and jute, as well as conventional media like oil and water-based paints, charcoal, and graphite. Notably, I utilise charred wood as a deliberate technique symbolising rebirth and regeneration while incorporating terra-cotta for its historical significance in pottery, denoting durability, age, and resilience.

Furthermore, I incorporate elements of imaginary history and narratives to shape and depict artworks, shedding light on the impact of colonialism on nearly every aspect of life, particularly on issues of national identity and civil rights. This exploration is grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Extractivism and Postcolonialism, drawing inspiration from the works of artists including El’Anatsui, Leonard Drew, Yinka Shonibare, Dexter Dalwood, Rashid Johnson, Moyo Okediji, Joseph Cornell, Nick Cave, and Hew Locke. As an artist with both British and Nigerian heritage, I navigate the complexities of cultural identity, drawing upon my dual heritage to inform and enrich my artistic practice.