Nnenna Okore
Encyclopedia
Nnenna Okore is a Nigerian artist living and working in the United States
. She received a B.A degree in Painting from the University of Nigeria
in 1999, and an M.A and M.F.A. degrees in Sculpture from the University of Iowa
in 2004 and 2005.
She is currently an Assistant Professor of Art at North Park University
, where she has received several awards and residencies worldwide, and has been exhibited in several prestigious galleries and museums including the Museum of Art and Design New York and the October Gallery
, London.
Okore often uses discarded yet reusable materials such as magazines and newspapers found in the United States. In redeeming these everyday waste and found objects, Okore’s works brings a focus on consumerism
, excessive wastefulness, and transformation of materials. Other materials employed in her work include clay
, rope
, wax
, wood
, and burlap
.
Her revitalizing and reconstructive approach to materials makes Okore one of the most exciting and innovative artists of her generation, working with urban
recyclia. Whilst in many ways, her approaches are reflective of recycling values specific to Nigerian society, her concerns are universally resonant.
One of her most famous pieces 'Rope' made from rolls of newspaper wound together and glued was created in 2006, making it a typical recycling piece.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She received a B.A degree in Painting from the University of Nigeria
University of Nigeria
The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. Founded in 1955 and formally opened on 7 October 1960, the University of Nigeria has four campuses – Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla – located in Enugu State and one in Aba, Abia...
in 1999, and an M.A and M.F.A. degrees in Sculpture from the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in 2004 and 2005.
She is currently an Assistant Professor of Art at North Park University
North Park University
North Park University is a four-year university located at 3225 W. Foster Avenue on the north side of Chicago, Illinois in the North Park neighborhood. It was founded in 1891 by the Evangelical Covenant Church and shares its campus with the denomination's only seminary...
, where she has received several awards and residencies worldwide, and has been exhibited in several prestigious galleries and museums including the Museum of Art and Design New York and the October Gallery
October Gallery
The October Gallery is an art gallery based in central London, showing contemporary work from all cultures around the world.Since first opening its doors in 1978, the October Gallery has promoted the art and artists of the Transvangarde or trans-cultural avant-garde; work by artists who, whilst at...
, London.
Okore often uses discarded yet reusable materials such as magazines and newspapers found in the United States. In redeeming these everyday waste and found objects, Okore’s works brings a focus on consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen...
, excessive wastefulness, and transformation of materials. Other materials employed in her work include clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
, rope
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
, wax
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...
, wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, and burlap
Burlap
Hessian , or burlap in the US, is a woven fabric usually made from skin of the jute plant or sisal fibres, or may be combined with other vegetable fibres to make rope, nets, and similar products...
.
Her revitalizing and reconstructive approach to materials makes Okore one of the most exciting and innovative artists of her generation, working with urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
recyclia. Whilst in many ways, her approaches are reflective of recycling values specific to Nigerian society, her concerns are universally resonant.
One of her most famous pieces 'Rope' made from rolls of newspaper wound together and glued was created in 2006, making it a typical recycling piece.