Following the success of her London debut in 2008, artist Nnenna Okore has returned to the October Gallery with her new exhibition, Metamorphoses.

In her sculpture Nnenna weaves, twists, sews, dyes, waxes and rolls everyday detritus to create biomorphic forms that reference organic movements and fluid undulations of expanding surfaces.  She says of this exhibition:

“My basic intention for Metamorphoses is to have people stop, look and think of how, in the long run, we ourselves and everything around us, are constantly transitioning, ageing, fading and dying.  It’s therefore imperative that people perceive their surroundings differently and become more accountable, to themselves and the earthly environment by cherishing even the most insignificant forms on the planet.”

Nnenna spoke to The Africa Channel:

1.     What do you miss most about Africa when you’re away?

I miss the people, the social atmosphere, the landscape and access to certain indigenous materials that I enjoy working with.

2.     How has your art been influenced by Africa?

I developed my visual sensibilities, worldviews and understanding of specific processes and techniques through my African experience. Therefore, almost everything that I perceive and create has a direct reference or derivation to my African encounter.

3.     How has the US combined with the African perspective in your work?

Do you mean how my American experiences have affected my African perspective? Well, there are subtle ways in which both experiences have overlapped. For instance, though I am often inspired by African imageries, I create my ideas using materials collected from my US location.  Other times, my sculptural forms though influenced by my US surroundings, employed creative processes that were learned from my homeland in Africa.

4.     Do you, or the art world, classify yourself as an African artist or something else?

I perceive myself as both an artist and an Africa. I am not uncomfortable when referred to as an African artist. There is some truth to that, right?

5.     What do you think is the biggest misconception about Africa?

I don’t have an answer to that question, because it depends on who one may be talking to and the basis for the misconception. However, I can say that Africa has some of the brightest and most innovative minds on the globe – that I know for sure.

6.     What’s the best thing about Africa?

One that comes to mind is that for most Africans, laughter truly comes from the heart.

7.     What three destinations in Africa would you recommend?

I think Lagos, Accra and Johannesburg would be a wonderful treat for the eyes. I haven’t been to Cairo, but I hear it’s also a magical place to visit.

8.     What do you think is the biggest problem facing Africa?

Africa is faced with numerous problems. Among the severest are poverty and disease epidemic.

9.     Name one surprising thing about Africa that most people don’t know.

Africans thrive on having a great sense of community. For instance, I can walk into a neighbour’s home for a quick visit or to borrow some household necessity, unannounced or uninvited, and that is generally accepted. It’s certainly not the case in most western societies.

10.  How would you sum up Africa in a word?

Unforgettable.

Metamorphoses is at October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AL.