Awka, 2018

Mixed media

9 x 12 in

This piece is a deeply personal exploration of identity, heritage, and belonging. In this mixed media collage, I merge a drawing of my face with the map of Nigeria, symbolizing the profound connection I feel to my roots. The map blends into the contours of my face, with Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, Nigeria—my parents' hometown—highlighted in yellow, representing its special place in my lineage.

The background is layered with names of places across Nigeria, but only certain locations are colored, signifying their significance to my personal and cultural narrative. Among them, Awka stands out, rendered in golden tones, embodying its importance to both my family's history and my sense of self. This piece is not just a reflection of where I come from, but a meditation on how place, identity, and memory intertwine, grounding us in our past while shaping who we are in the present.