Celebration Picasso - Voyez-Vous (Vinciane Lebrun) -4147.jpg

one dips one’s tongue into the ocean…

Storytelling Healing Humanity Collective memory Transmission Beauty Love Transcendence The unspoken word

THE ART OF LIVING

**“CÉLÉBRATION PICASSO, LA COLLECTION PREND DES COULEURS!” ARTISTIC DIRECTION PAUL SMITH**
Curated by Cécile Debray (conservatrice générale du patrimoine, présidente du Musée national Picasso-Paris) et Joanne Snrech (conservatrice du patrimoineMusée national Picasso-Paris)
7 MARS - 27 AOÛT 2023
*“LANDSCAPES OF MY CHILDHOOD REMEMBERED”* (2015) TRIPTYCH
Oil on canvas, powder pigment, collage
300cm x 100cm
Photo ©Vinciane Lebrun / Voyez-vous

I tell ancestral stories, told and retold…

GEOMETRY OF LIFE

“I’m increasingly drawn to the art and architecture inspired by our belief systems; silent witnesses of humanity’s aspirations.”

“Igbo-Ukwu sculpture, Coptic art, ancient Khemet philosophy, Gilgamesh, the Mahabarata and the ‘Rennaissance’ artists have left indelible imprints on my world of imagination. Seeking patterns in these mythological tales that exist in every culture with timeless themes, my latest body of work THE GEOMERTY of LIFE, tentatively weaves the connections of transcendence and metamorphosis - mapping our collective consciousness through the re-interpretation of existing iconic works of art”

GEOMETRY OF LIFE series (2021) oil paint, colour pencil and gold on canvas 152 x100cm

Mystic Lamb polyptych

work in progress

“Mystic Lamb” installation: ink/ink-wash/felt-tip portraits on paper, antique textiles, cotton doilies, ex-votos

installation Thailand 1.JPG — Mystic Lamb - polyptych

work in progress 2008 to date

Discovering Indian ink painting in 2007 was an epiphany of sorts. I immediately started working on portraits as an entry point to develop my calligraphic skills. The series has grown for over a decade into an expanded piece “Mystic Lamb”: a life-size re-production of the “Ghent Alter-piece” or “Het Lams Gods” polyptych by Hubrecht and Jan Van Eyck (1425). The complete installation now consists of over 300 portraits of protagonists spanning 3000 years of African (hi)story.

***Les Anges Musiciens*** (In progress 2022)
Tapestry: ink portraits on cotton, lace doilies, embroidery silk wool and chiffon

Gent Alter-piece Hubert Van Eyck 1425(Detail) — **Gent Alter-piece** Hubert Van Eyck 1425(Detail)

MYSTIC LAMB - musicians (2009)Pencil on tracing paper A4 — **musicians sketch** (2009)
Pencil on tracing paper A4

Icons: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978) 50cm x 50cm Ink wash on silk 2019 — ***Panel of the Lamb - Icons*** Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978) 50cm x 50cm Ink wash on silk 2019

***Panel of the Lamb - Kings & Queens*** (2021)
Installation in progress - Residency @De School van Gaasbeek

***Panel of the Lamb - Amazons*** (2021)
Installation - Residency @De School van Gaasbeek

« Inherently, this piece is perceived as an offering: a work of devotion to “those who have paved the way” so that we may shine. A celebration of collective memory, the archetypal quest for the Self and the truth of our existence.
»

MYSTIC LAMB – Artist with benefactor (2015)Collage on antique print A4 — ***MYSTIC LAMB – artist with benefactor*** (2015)
Collage on antique print A4

***Les Anges Chanteuses*** (2021)
Tapestry: ink portraits on cotton, lace doilies, embroidery silk wool and chiffon

Installation/Performance - ComPeung AIR Thailand (2013) — ***MYSTIC LAMB*** Installation/Performance @ ComPeung AIR Doi Saket, Thailand (2013)

Groupe des Martyrs - S/Heros of 1960s revolutions (160cm x 250cm)Panel with commemorative Lumumba cotton wax & 27 ink-portraits — ***Panel of the Lamb - Group of Martyrs***: *S/Heros of 1960s revolutions*
*Panel with commemorative Lumumba cotton wax & 27 ink-portraits (160cm x 250cm)*

***Panel of the Lamb - Mbari*** (2021)
Tapestry in progress - Residency @De School van Gaasbeek

***MYSTIC LAMB*** (2021)
Installation - Residency @De School van Gaasbeek

Painting series: Indian ink & natural pigment on linen/canvas/paper

Out of the Ashes

‘Out of the Ashes’ explores themes of Transcendence and Metamorphosis, interrogating the cyclical nature of the human condition; the everlasting cycle of Birth, Death and Re-birth. The Paintings attempt to assemble 'connections' of perception to engage with issues of transience, memory, history, rites…

This research has evolved into a process of juxtaposing archetypes from different cultures and epochs with my own personal experience through the ‘re-interpretation’ of existing religious iconographic art (Renaissance paintings, Igbo-Ukwu sculptures, Coptic frescos, Sufi poetry, Khemet hieroglyphs, to name but a few).

This layering technique gives the paintings a ‘timeless’ dimension, where past present and future coexist on the same plane

**ANNA of IDOTO (2012)**
**Indian-ink & pigment on linen 11O x 105cm**

THE-TWIGHTLIGHT-MOMENT-IN-THE-WAKE-OF-A-DREAM (2019)Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 80cm x 110cm — **THE-TWIGHTLIGHT-MOMENT-IN-THE-WAKE-OF-A-DREAM (2019)**
Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 80cm x 110cm

SILENCES (2015)Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 110cm x 105cm — **SILENCES (2015)**
Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 110cm x 105cm

LION - HEARTED - CEDAR - FOREST

“the clearing” (2019)- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm — **“the clearing” (2019)**
- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm

“watermaid” (2019)- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm — **“watermaid” (2019)**
- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm

“weaverbird” (2019)- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm — **“weaverbird” (2019)**
- Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 50cm x 50cm

YELLOW MELODIES (2016)Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 210cm x 105cm — **YELLOW MELODIES (2016)**
Indian-ink & powder pigment on Linen 210cm x 105cm

PHOENIX (2008)Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm — **PHOENIX (2008)**
Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm

**ANCESTRAL MASKS II (2009)**
**Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm**

LAMENT OF THE DRUMS

LION-HEARTED cedar forest, gonads for our thunder,

Even if you are very far away, we invoke you:

Give us our hollow heads of long-drums...

Antelopes for the cedar forest, swifter messengers

That flash-of-beacon-flame, we invoke you:

Hide us; deliver us from our nakedness...

Many-fingered canebrake, exile for our laughter,

Even if you are very far away, we invoke you:

Come; limber our raw hides of antelopes...

Thunder of tanks of giant iron steps of detonators,

Fail safe from the clearing, we implore you:

We are tuned for a feast-of-seven-souls...

Christopher Okigbo 1962

SELF PORTRAIT w KIMONO (2007)Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm — **SELF PORTRAIT w KIMONO (2007)**
Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm

out of ashes 7.JPG — **ANCESTRAL MASKS I (2009)**
**Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm**

IBEJI (2008)Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm — **IBEJI (2008)**
Indian-ink on paper 110cm x 75cm

**NARCISSUS (2008)**
**Indian-ink, pigment, pastel on linen 150cm x 110cm**

pieta 2.JPG — **LA PIETA (2008)**
**Indian-ink, pigment, pastel on linen 150cm x 100cm**

DSCN0120_2.jpgJacob’s ladder — Jacob’s ladder

“2008 was a turning point in my painting technique when I discovered the ink paintings by “Ohwon” Jang Seung-Ub (1843- 97). As a craftswoman I had been looking for ways to home in my skill. Ohwon guided me to the sheer discipline of controlling the alchemy of indelible black ink, the brush stroke and water on absorbing paper that was incarnated in his work.
The ink on linen paintings in this collection can be seen as evolutions/revolutions of the process of creating new narratives based on the most ancient of all – the eternal cycle of birth, death and regeneration.”

PRIMAVERA - MBARI (2010)Indian-ink, pigment on linen 180cm x 220cm — **PRIMAVERA - MBARI (2010)**
Indian-ink, pigment on linen 180cm x 220cm

LUSTRA (2010)Indian-ink, pigment, oil paint on linen 200cm x 150cm — **LUSTRA (2010)**
Indian-ink, pigment, oil paint on linen 200cm x 150cm

TappingintotheKnown

paintings by Obi Okigbo & poetry by Christopher Okigbo

"Labyrinths is thus a fable of man's perennial quest for fulfilment...

Inevitably, several presences haunt the complex of rooms and ante - rooms,

of halls and corridors that lead to the palace of the White Goddess,

and in which a country visitor might easily lose his way."

C.Okigbo, Ibadan, October, 1965

PREDOMINANTLY GREEN The field of all possibilities (2002)Powder pigment, oil paint & pastel, colored pencil, gold leaf, on canvas132cm x 182cm — **PREDOMINANTLY GREEN *The field of all possibilities* (2002)**
Powder pigment, oil paint & pastel, colored pencil, gold leaf, on canvas
132cm x 182cm

PREDOMINANTLY RED Sacrifice and Bliss (2006)Powder pigment, acrylic, oil, oil pastel on canvas192 cm x 115cm — **PREDOMINANTLY RED *Sacrifice and Bliss* (2006)**
Powder pigment, acrylic, oil, oil pastel on canvas
192 cm x 115cm

Tapping into the known

I am within the midst of the labyrinth because I asked to be

The prodigal searches to live life's adventures guided by faith and intuition

And marks each turning point with a splash of color

seven colors_predominantly monochrome, my stations of the cross

I have no fear as Thou art with me

For the father quest, is the finding of one's true self; the hero's journey - which is our ultimate destiny

Obiageli Ibrahimat Okigbo 16/05/ 2003

Untitled (2004)Collage on printed catalogue A4 — **Untitled (2004)**
Collage on printed catalogue A4

PREDOMINANTLY YELLOW The Tree of life (2004)Powder pigment, oil paint, oil pastel on canvas190cm x 115cm — **PREDOMINANTLY YELLOW *The Tree of life* (2004)**
Powder pigment, oil paint, oil pastel on canvas
190cm x 115cm

We did not know you

Who were whom we hold

For to know you was

To know the infinite

Today on your homecoming

Patient mother

With you in your palm

The life hour is in our cup

The secret the clay

All the world's farewells

Break behind us

Like wavelash on sandbank.

Chistopher Okigbo, 1964

Pred Orange.jpg — PREDOMINANTLY ORANGE *The Re-birth of Venus (2003)*
Powder pigment, oil paint, oil pastel, gold leaf on canvas
260cm x 140cm

« DARK WATERS of the beginning. »

**PREDOMINANTLY VIOLET *La Pieta* (2004)**
Powder pigment, acrylic, oil paint, oil pastel on canvas
200cm x 200cm

Oil Painting on canvas/linen/paper

“I find inspiration for my work from all aspects of human culture –

our belief systems, behavioural patterns, aesthetic values, amongst others.”

ALA (2016)Oil paint and powder pigment on canvas 110 x 200cm — **ALA (2016)**
Oil paint and powder pigment on canvas 110 x 200cm

“I am continually inspired by; Italian Renaissance art, early Flemish masters (14th century), Mbari art and ideology (Igbo, Nigeria), ink paintings by “Ohwon” Jang Seung-Ub (1843-97) & Shintao, the poetry of Christopher Okigbo (1932-67) & Hafez (13th century), the writings of Joseph Campbell, Afro-beat, Funk and Hip-Hop.”

**PAINTED MAIDENS (2014) Oil on Canvas 100 x 100 cm**

**MMANWU (2017) Oil on canvas 100com x 100cm**

**UNTITLED (2017) Oil on Canvas 100com x 100cm**

THE “NOUS” BETWEEN THE TWO (2019)Oil on canvas 240 x 150cm — **THE “NOUS” BETWEEN THE TWO (2019)**
Oil on canvas 240 x 150cm

SILENT SISTERS

TUTU (2016)Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm — **TUTU (2016)**
Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm

MODUPE (2016)Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm — **MODUPE (2016)**
Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm

EFURU (2016)Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm — **EFURU (2016)**
Oil paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm

EFUA (2016)Oil Paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm — **EFUA (2016)**
Oil Paint & Indian-ink on canvas 110 x 110cm

TRANSMISSION (2002)Collage, text & oil on canvas53cm x 70cm — **TRANSMISSION (2002)**
Collage, text & oil on canvas
53cm x 70cm

Promenade

Miniatures: oil/gouache/water-colour on canvas or paper

“Each material has its own inherent properties, so when engaging a new idea, I experiment with the tools that correspond to my sentiment in that moment; I’m equally passionate be it Oil on canvas or Ink stains on linen, fascinated by the infinite possibilities that can be achieved by a few colours handled with skill and intuition”

DEBONAIRE (2011)Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm — **DEBONAIRE (2011)**
Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm

ADAM (2011)Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm — **ADAM (2011)**
Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm

WOMAN with GELE (2011)Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm — **WOMAN with GELE (2011)**
Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm

ADANMA (2011)Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm — **ADANMA (2011)**
Oil paint and pastel on canvas 40cm x 30cm

Ode to Remembrance

ODE TO REMEMBRANCE

ARBORETUM MEMORIAL SITE

Ode to Remembrance by Obi Okigbo

Year of production: 2018 -19

GENRE: Performance/ visual poetry

MEDIUM: VIDEO 11mins 09secs

KIND: Quick Time movie

*Dedicated to the Memory of the Victims of the Biafra/Nigeria war.

“When the dead are honoured and the memory of the most distant ancestors remains alive, the force of a people reaches its plenitude”

Confucius (551-479 BC)

LEGACIES OF BIAFRA (2017/18)

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Biafra/Nigerian conflict (1967-70), my humble offering is a proposal for a ‘Memorial Site’ both material and spiritual. My personal experience and interest concerning collective trauma and post traumatic stress incurred by this tragedy prompted me to embark on this journey of Healing & Ritual. The essence of my intervention is working towards Re-generation: a place to remember the past, to enjoy the beauty of the present and plant the seeds for the future.

personal/collective trauma

ablution

purification

pilgrimage

redemption

Re-generation

healing

CREDITS

Voice /Oracle Maia Chauvier

Voice /Protagonist /Artistic Director Obi Okigbo

Director/Camera/Film editor Remi Datroa

Camera/ Filmmaker Bram Vancauwenberghe

SoundTechnician Otti Vanderwerf

Logistics: Special thanks to Tina Inserviente, Dario Fattorusso, Pélagie Gbaguidi and Cédric de Pré for their invaluable and timely help

Music:

Dobet Gnahoré “Ano Neko (Let’s create together)”

Moondog “Bird Lament”

Voice recording of Christopher Okigbo “Lament of the Drums” courtesy of Schomburg Center for research in Black culture, 515 Malcom X boulevard, New York, NY 1003

Poem « Elegy for Split-Drum » by Christopher Okigbo (1966) translated to French by Christiane Fioupou recited by Maia Chauvier & Obi Okigbo