REWA
anwuli ⏐ Joy
2023

Name: anwuli ⏐ Joy
Brand: REWA
Price: 4429.26 CHF
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (36 reviews)

$5,400

£4,146.97

€4,752.37

CA$7,601.87

A$8,515.77

CHF 4,429.26

MX$103,874.82

NOK 56,390.35

SEK 53,172.08

DKK 35,470.42

About the Item

REWA says of her work… Viewers largely label me under “Contemporary African Art”. I label my work as Igbo Vernacular Art. The reason for this is that I believe that I have created a truly original body of work that exists outside formal academic or Western dialogue. My art is drawn from life itself and deeply anchored in a place and culture from which it was derived. This is the Igbo culture pertaining to the Igbos of Nigeria. I think that this description is more accurate as it implies a unique iteration of customs and tradition, bound to a particular location and a particular people. Igbo Vernacular Art is not to be mistaken with Folk Art, but rather, concerns itself with an expressive aesthetic that would be more commonly associated with Contemporary of Modern Art; form, composition and narrative. Vernacular dialects are anchored to a particular land, and in much the same way, my art contains a vocabulary that is built on a strong sense of place and is situated in a location and a history. It is my hope that one day, my work will be included in art historical dialogue about Africa and specifically Nigeria, beyond the confines of the wide-reaching Contemporary African Art designation. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ REWA was born and raised between Nigeria and England and received a BSc. in Physiology and Pharmacology from University College London (UCL). She previously worked as the Head of Corporate Development and Investor Relations for a Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company. Prior to this, she was the Specialty Insurance Executive for Old Mutual West Africa and a Management Consultant at Accenture (UK). Never having received formal art training, she is self-taught and developed her innate talent from a very early age. Growing up, her father encouraged her creative drive, his expansive art collection from West Africa, providing further impetus for her development. Her formal training as a physiologist / pharmacologist at UCL also prepared her for what has become an exciting journey; she learned to observe in greater detail and to seek deeper meaning. She knew a few truths about what ignited a frenzy - when going for long stretches creating art with a particular song or artist playing on a continuous loop - but still sought a clear “artistic direction". She finds that her spirit is moved by what she refers to as "depicted sentience" and through the celebration of the female form and bright, vivid colours. Her preferred medium of acrylics and watercolours on cartridge paper provides the immediacy, proximity and transparency to express her most personal experiences and influences living between Lagos, London and Johannesburg, cities she considers home. REWA decided to pursue art as a form of catharsis following a nadir. She created her first 14-piece body of work, The Pantheon, celebrating Nigerian deities which was very well received and led to her appointment as ReLe Gallery’s 2017 Young Contemporary in Lagos, Nigeria. In this same year, the prestigious Gallery of African Art (GAFRA) in Mayfair, London invited REWA to participate in a joint exhibition, Her Story: Sisterhood That Transcends, alongside a acclaimed Dutch photographer, Dagmar van Weeghel. Her collection, Onicha Ado N’Idu delved into the significance of naming rites and traditions within the Igbo culture in Nigeria – how the names shape the identity of the individuals they are bestowed upon. REWA’s work was featured at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) in Brooklyn, New York as part of MoCADA’s annual 2017 gala. Most recently, she participated in the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery’s No Dead Artists 22nd Annual show in New Orleans, USA. REWA’s artwork represents and glorifies women in our numerous forms; as goddesses, as travelers and most recently, as inexorable forces behind naming rites of the Igbo culture. She has finally found her truth in a voice that is unique to her, one that has induced prolonged frenzies and abundant hours of introverted happiness and zen. For REWA, art creation is synonymous with catharsis and her creations are her life's diary.

Creator:
REWA (1987, American)
Creation Year:
2023
Dimensions:
Height: 23.39 in (59.42 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42.02 cm)
Medium:
Acrylic,Archival Paper
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
21st Century
Framing:
Framing Options Available
Condition:
Gallery Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU105213015312

"Arike" is a powerful artwork created by Fatunmbi Anjolaoluwa Grace that captures the essence of human emotions and experience. The piece is a mixed-media artwork that uses acrylic, and fabrics to create a stunning visual display. The artwork depicts a young woman gazing off into the distance, lost in thought. Her eyes are expressive, and her expression is contemplative as if she is reflecting on something deeply personal. The title of the artwork, "Arike," is a Yoruba name that means "someone who we have encountered and chosen to care for." This name is significant because it suggests that the woman in the artwork is someone who has had a profound impact on the artist's life, and the artwork is a tribute to her. The use of traditional African clothing in the artwork is also significant. It speaks to the artist's cultural heritage and identity and adds a layer of meaning to the piece. Overall, "Arike" is a stunning piece of artwork that captures the complexity and depth of human experience. The use of mixed media, traditional African aesthetics, and the contemplative expression on the woman's face all contribute to making this artwork a powerful visual display. Fatunmbi Anjolaoluwa Grace has created a masterpiece that speaks to the human condition and the importance of connecting with others. Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gallery) About Artist Anjolaoluwa Arike Fatunmbi is an artist based in the southwest city of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Her medium of art is expressed in traditional Adire and Ankara fabric with a blend of acrylic on canvas. Her journey into art began at an early stage while watching her father work on various forms of art as a seasoned professional. For, Arike, Art was second nature as she lived and dreamed of art in an environment beaming with top professionals and ardent art enthusiasts. As she advanced in age with a broader exposure to the vicissitudes of life and a deeper understanding of how human nature transcends and reinvents in a constantly changing circle, her works are consciously impacted by her cultural roots and personal experiences. Arike’s textile art is composed of intricate compositions of layers of fabric, flowery patterns, and detailed attention to the markings of the female features. Her pieces are reflective of her personality as she loves to incorporate vibrant colors and whimsical designs. With her early start in the Art scene, Arike has been able to apprentice under renowned masters in the Art sector like the globally acclaimed proponent of Contemporary Black Art, Oluwole Omofemi. Her work was selected for the prestigious Art fellowship themed: Telling textile tales. The program sponsored by the British Council had in attendance notable heavyweights like Uzoma Samuel and Laura Jones among other participants. She successfully presented papers on the forms of Art she practice and the ethics guiding her creative enterprise. She has also been greatly inspired by leading female artists in the likes of Marcellina Akpojotor, Bisa Butler...

Category