OTU IBE-ENWO PROMOTES WEST-AFRICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH ART
Otu Ibe-Enwo is an interesting Nigerian born artist and sculptor from Afikpo in South-East Nigeria. His artistic style is a combination of surrealism and realism to create rich and complex representations that epitomizes traditional and ancient West African art.
His works are multimedia using materials such as textile, hair, beads and other objects that are fused together to reflect West-African cultures. He adopts a very interactive form of expression to foster a very imaginative experience for art enthusiasts.
According to him, realistic portrayals of Afikpo masquerades, Ojude Oba festivals, Eyo festivals and other cultural events reflect the ties between his works and West-African cultural heritage.
Otu’s artworks operate as visual essays and social critiques, designed to stimulate reflection and discourse about human socio-cultural interactions. He experiments with illustrative re-constructions that present these cultural events in an atypical manner. The juxtapositions of modern performances with old traditional performances as well as depictions that contradict traditional gender constructs within certain rituals are hallmark of his artistic style. In his “Ojude-Oba: Equine series” he presents bmx riders performing stunts alongside the Ojude-Oba equestrians to emote the dramatic essence of cultural interdependence.
Additionally, he evokes parley surrounding gender and the need for reconsideration on these existing notions.
Otu explores themes in the ’Nsibidi’ philosophy, inter-cultural tolerance and integration within Ojude-Oba, gender inequality, political instability and social activism.
Otu’s works are expressions that blend together historical, cultural and contemporary analogies to offer renditions that would engage audiences to foster a spiritual, intellectual, cultural, historical and aesthetical connection to his West African roots.
Otu’s artistic endeavours correspond with an inherited legacy of craftsmanship which hereditary. He is a descendant of notable figures and individuals who have contributed to various zeitgeists of Afikpo culture. Remarkably, His ancestor Chukwu-Okoro was a reputed artisan and craftsman who helped herald the artistic significance of Afikpo art forms to a global audience.
Chukwu Okoro who had a personal and professional relationship with the erudite researcher and educator Simon Ottenberg, provided authentic resources to assist with the field research conducted by Ottenberg. Otu’s familiar lineage can be traced back to the pioneer settlers who formed Mgbom village. Ibeenwootu@gmail.com (Gmail), +447349471910
@OtunbergsArt (Instagram)
Leave a comment