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How I Painted The African Map on 20 Pairs of Discarded Denim Pants by Miabo Enyadike

Modern Map of Africa Concept art idea





Africa is my continent one that  I love and cherish, the eclectic mix of cultures and people is beyond imagination. 

Every country in Africa is unique to its people, culture and origins that's why the continent, is always a draw for people to visit and explore.

 My Africa is a place where  resilience is inborn not acquired, you inherit that!.  Family is everything  and you support each, other no matter what.



 I love my Africa the dusty streets, the simplicity of the people,  the ceremonies that last for days celebrating cultural events that mark our different heritage and make our identity unique as Africans.

The communal feast and the beautiful array of colors that is reflect in our culture. Africa is rugged, no matter where you see it, from Cape to Cairo that is what makes it interesting and fascinating, to want to experience this ruggedness and just want to embrace it and polish it, into something beautiful. 

The entire continent, is filled with huge potential, to make an impact and difference,I love that!.

 Having been exploited for centuries, it has left the continent weary and burdened, but the shine and attraction has never been defeated.



There is always something fantastic, coming out of Africa and that's it's people!. Our unrelenting resilience to be recognized, in the world stage is a huge factor in this rugged continent.

 My Art on Africa expresses how I see the continents individual countries, tribes and ancient civilizations, lumped together, by colonialism.

Whereby people who had no clue or idea about who we are or why we are, except  their poor unfortunate understanding of geography, decided to sew us up together and name us Africa. 



We are a people of different races, culture, habits, religion, educational aspirations and  origins.

From time to time these differences, rears their ugly heads and transcends into tribal and ethnic wars that ravage societies, in the continent almost to extinction.

With that being said we still rely on folklore and tradition to maintain, our different cultures and ways of life, as practiced by our forefathers.



 The mixed Media Art I created tells this story just looking at it. It is made out of Jeans pants, stitched together with cotton ropes, and painted with acrylic paint, in very big brush strokes that appear rough,to give that street look of ruggedness. 



Then the ropes are used again to create texture on the painted jeans. The jeans, signifies the defiance and resilience, of the African people despite all the misgiving the continent has had to bear for centuries. 


The textured ropes indicate the mishaps the continent, continues to grapple with, which seems endless and stands in the face of this fascinating  continent.

 These issues include wars, famine, corruption, diseases, that somehow overwhelms, the true beauty and potential of the continent.  






The vibrant mishmash of colors are an indication of our colorful heritage, that is reflected in our diverse cultures, food, textiles and lifestyles all through the continent.

We all love wearing our denim pants, which we wear everyday. It takes all the hard knocks, and even when discarded, can still prove its  usefulness. 

                    

That is why worn Jeans pants, are my inspiration and  the main material for this project. I used
 (20 pairs) of Jeans to be exact. 

To me, its hard wearing nature lends itself well, to this project, of my narrative of how, I see my Africa. 


The use of these every day materials for this Art project, was because they are  fascinating, they draw curiosity and ignite creativity that extends imaginations, when viewed. 

As Art, the aim is to bring the audience into this narrative and that was achieved, when I exhibited this work in my recent solo exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria. 

This is how people see Africa from the outside, rough, dangerous, yet fascinating and beautiful.

 My Africa may be rugged but it is resilient and indeed beautiful, like a work of Art filled with abstract theories and interpretations that are based on how you see it.....Enjoy.


   
check out my Art Portfolio

www.saatchiart.com/artmiabo

             💖💖💖
         Miabo Enyadike

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