From Uchendu-Edeh, ‘Heritage Exhibition’ that echoes from UK
By Chuka Nnabuife
AFRICAN art features prominently in many notable collections and reference publications around the world. However, what often stands out in exhibitions are sculptures and large three-dimensional pieces. Not often do individual fashion items and enticing fabrics take center stage, as was the case recently in the United Kingdom, where an art exhibition titled ‘Heritage: A Celebration of African Textiles and Craftsmanship’ was on display.
Mounted for public viewing from March 10 to 13 at 5 Market Buildings, Southampton, SO16 2HW, United Kingdom, the exhibition gave a good account of the creative faculties and audience interest of its artist and the curating gallery. Featured were pieces that truly celebrated African fabrics and handicrafts in a manner that would make many promoters and pundits of African art very proud.
The artist, Kaosiemenma Uchendu-Edeh, presented some wardrobe pieces, such as handbags, wearables for casual and formal outings, home wears, belts, bangles, and even exotic runway fashion pieces. According to the curators, ArtQuay, the exhibition was a showcase of “the beauty and significance of traditional African fabric designs, reimagined for contemporary utility.”
The curators presented the collection as a package that tells ample tales of “the beauty and diversity of African cultural visions, the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship, and the power of textiles to shape identity and community.” Indeed, Uchendu-Edeh’s works, an engaging collection of functional art pieces created from colorful designs made of Ankara fabrics, convey the message of the expo’s promoters as a collection that “projects the timeless traditions of African craftsmanship with innovative design focus and adornment sensibilities.”
Uchendu-Edeh’s ‘Heritage’ exhibition was essentially a pointer to what good deployment of design and qualitative presentation can do for African art, the global fashion industry, and export trade.
Mrs. Uchendu-Edeh, is a Nigerian multidisciplinary visual artist and an art lecturer. She studied for a Master of Fine Art in Fashion Design after her Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Applied Arts.
Her art is dedicated to celebrating African
heritage through innovative textile-based effusions. Through the method of creation she also produces soft sculpture pieces, dress figures made from wool balls and African prints balls,. Her artworks are characteristically, vibrant. In the ‘Heritage’ collection she served over 40
African print tote bags, accessories, and the pieces her curators dubbed “one-of-a-kind
beaded collectibles.”
Her passion for storytelling through art is manifest in her designs which blend traditional African elements with modern flair. She loves experimenting with the visual properties of
indigenous African fabrics.
The artist communicates her studio mission thusly: the “goal is to explore the use of textile and art as a social identity.”
