Award-winning artist Ken Nwadiogbu is known for challenging and investigating Black socio-political structures and issues. His new series of NFTs, created in collaboration with six fellow Nigerian artists, continues that trend. Created as part of the Voice NFT Residency, the collection comprises uniquely visual pieces which stand alone yet fit together, representative of a community.
One piece, “Chibok Experience” (2021), commemorates the 276 girls kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School by Boko Haram in 2014. According to Nwadiogbu and co-creator Olayinka Sangotoye, “This body of work dives into the experience, thoughts, imagination, and memories of family members of the victims. The memories can only be replayed when a picture of the kidnapped is held by family members.”
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A collaboration between Nwadiogbu and Funfere Koroye, “Journey Mercies” (2021), digs into the migrant experience, playing on a visual of a Rubix Cube to demonstrate the myriad ways migrants enrich their destination nations. “As people of color, we journey around the world sharing our cultures, our identity, and our beliefs,” reads the artist statement.
Having studied Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Lagos, Nwadiogbu came to art initially as a hobby. He is credited for beginning the “Contemporealism” movement, a fusion that is primarily centered around Hyperrealism and contemporary art. Nwadiogbu was selected for the Voice Residency by Azu Nwagbogu, the Founder and Director of African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), a non-profit organization based in Lagos, Nigeria.
“Ken is an artist to be admired,” says Nwagbogu. “He is generous in his practice, sharing ideas and nurturing the younger generation of artists in his community whilst staying true to his distinct style.”
Explore the collection, which is on view now and will be available for purchase exclusively on Voice starting November 7, at voice.com.
Source: Hyperallergic.com