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Born in Warri Nigeria, Nengi Omuku is a contemporary artist recognized for her work with textiles and ethnic craft traditions. Omuku’s ethereal paintings present a unique sculptural effect, revealing abstract figures in colorful landscapes painted on the traditional sanyan canvas. Here’s an overview of her distinct style, preferred textile, and abstract paintings:
Painting on Traditional Textile
The first noticeable aspect of paintings by Nengi Omuku is the canvas she prefers. Omuku paints on tightly woven strips of traditional Nigerian fabric known as sanyan. The sanyan is a type of woven Yoruba textile and part of Nigerian culture. After graduating from the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Omuku returned to Nigeria where she began investigating textiles. Her quest was driven by the fact that many decorative fabrics portrayed as African were Dutch Wax prints. Omuku wanted her oil paintings to be done on a textile that had African origins.
Early projects from the artist featured paintings on textiles from various Nigerian states. When someone showed her a collection of sanyan clothes, she said it became a “lightbulb moment.” Omuku is impressed by the Nigerian culture and ideas presented in the sanyan fabrics, which is why she prefers them for her paintings. Sanyan is a fabric used in special occasion wraps, head ties, and other garments. Omuku gets these items from the market as finished cloths and repurposes them to create a canvas for her paintings.
Preparing Sanyan for Painting
To convert the sanyan into a canvas for oil painting, Omuku makes meticulous alterations to the original fabrics. The garments usually feature embroidery, dyes, and other design features. Omuku has mastered how to deconstruct and reverse the stitching, keeping the design elements facing outward without losing them. Omuku opts to paint on the reverse side, preserving any prayers or motifs present in the original fabric.
The different colors and design elements found in sanyan cloths influence how Omuku paints. Her early paintings were vibrant and bright. Now, she uses muted tones reflected in the traditional Nigerian textile. She starts by using the same colors that are used for the fabric. This helps her create a harmonious piece. Omuku also aims to present a dialogue between her paintings and the fabric. She does this by painting her subjects in patterned garments and using drapery as a framing device.
Creating Culture-inspired Contemporary Art
Omuku’s impressionistic art pieces are expressively contemporary, inspired by West African heritage and personal life experiences. Her landscapes encompass nature, gardening, and religion, with artwork showing families and communities participating in various activities. Omuku’s art is a reflection of her thoughts on society, covering everything from politics to spirituality and philosophy. One of her recent paintings shows a group of people making the sanyan fabric in Senegal. The colorful painting shows the beauty of West African communities while reflecting on the historical struggles of the people.
Omuku’s notable paintings include Eden, Lighthouse, Days Gone By, Repose, Red Velvet, and Welcome Home. These abstract paintings express her varied inspirations, which include art history, nature, cinema, and imagination. Her style uses impressionistic brushstrokes to create harmony between colors and shapes. Nengi Omuku often uses real-life models from photos or subjects drawn from her imagination. The abstract figurations blend seamlessly into the landscape vignette, creating a dreamlike presentation that distinguishes her work from other artists.
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Enjoy Contemporary Art from Nengi Omuku
Nengi Omuku has had exhibits in Nigeria, the United States, Europe, and many other locations, including at the Bangkok Art Biennale. She has a mural in a London hospital and various pieces in museums in Baltimore and Miami. Omuku also recently joined a gallery in New York and is slated for a solo show of her work. Visit a commercial art gallery today to learn more about Nengi Omuku and her intuitive contemporary oil paintings on a Nigerian pre-colonial textile.
