Description
Mix media on cold pressed watercolor on paper, Stacey Okparavero (Nigerian, born 1991)
Outside looking in, 2017
56.6 x 50.3 cm
Signed ‘Stacey (front)
Provenance: direct from artist
Stacey Okparavero’s undergraduate program at the University of Lagos gave her ample opportunities to explore her desire to show artistry at its best through her artistic practice.
Furthermore, her graduate program at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and Institut d’Etudes Superieure des Arts in Paris in the history and business of the contemporary art market developed her curatorial skills, introducing her to the mechanics of the international art market. Working at the Africa Centre in London, deepened her knowledge on artistic and curatorial
practices, while enabling her to interact with other artists to further her growth. Stacey’s skills and ability to conceptualize ideas saw marked growth as she worked or engaged with colleagues and established contemporary Nigerian artists such as Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya; her mentor, who she often works with. Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya’s style has had some influence on her recent work as she explores the materials and expands the boundaries and possibilities of the techniques through rigorous research and experiments. Her time at the Harmattan workshop gave her the opportunity to learn -the valuable style she had admired for many years- printmaking. She learnt different facets of printmaking such as, plastocast, ivorex, additive plastograph, lithographs, and metal foil deep etching.
Other influential artists she has engaged with include, Sam Ovraiti, Tola Wewe, Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearse, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Sokari Douglas Camp, King Houndekpinkou, Bruce Clarke and Sue Williamson.
Her recent participation in the 2016 Dakar Biennial with a performance piece titled ‘La Puissance du Toucher’, established her presence on the international art scene. She exhibited at the Suba Biennale, Dak’Art Off, in the prestigious Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD) with artists such as Ousmane Mbaye, Sue Williamson, Marc Montaret, Delphine Diallo
and Loza Maleombho. Stacey’s live art piece was showcased at the first art fair in Lagos, Art X Lagos, curated by Tokini Peterside and Bisi Silva in November 2016. The audience were able to witness the artist’s thought process and watch the art come alive from conception to finish. The use of materials in Stacey’s work is deliberate, as she explores the best medium to express ideas. Her work takes on various forms and media, which includes watercolor, acrylic, pastel, plastocast, ivorex, video art, bronze casting, sculpture and performance art. The medium is intended to engage and draw the viewer in to witness new unpredictable cycles of thought and provide a chance to challenge ones perceptions, beliefs and assumptions. It is also chosen to best represent the concept the artist explores at each given time and collection.
It is the artists’ belief that art remains a strong contender of how one expresses ideas and feelings through various media. She has no grand illusion that art would change the world, but through history, art has helped shape communities, cultures and traditions, as such, her work addresses social, political and emotional issues that resonate deeply with her.
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