“Celebrating My Nigerian Roots” by Raluchukwu Ojah in the KAC Vault Gallery
Sat June 3, 2023 to Wed June 28, 2023Kamloops Courthouse Gallery (7 Seymour St W, Kamloops, BC V2C 1E4, Canada)
Galleries & Exhibits, Kamloops Arts Council
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Mediums: Pencils, Oils, Acrylic, and Fabrics
Artist Statement:
“Celebrating my Nigerian roots is a theme which speaks about capturing the beauty in my cultural background and how it has deeply influenced my art-making process. My works explore the rich diversity of my culture while drawing attention to the issues being faced as an international immigrant in Canada. My first drawing DIVERSITY are multiple portraits of people from different cultural backgrounds, I combined the faces with the image of clasped hands to represent diversity and show the strengths of working together. The second drawing MERGED represents a two-headed child who shows a little black boy and a white girl, this is to show duality and teamwork. My first painting EZINWAYI which means (good woman), done in acrylic paints, shows a young African woman dressed in a well-tied Gele and an Ankara to match. This is to show the different styles of clothes worn in Nigeria. My second painting NNA HURU N’AYA which means (Father’s love) done in Oil paints is dedicated to my father who has played an important role in my life as an Artist. The attire worn by the man in the painting is the Ntorika George Wrapper, a popular wrapper worn in Igbo land, Nigeria because of its cost and its history. My last piece SOUND SUIT, AFRICAN MASK and DRUM is a sculpture made for a class. The inspiration was gotten from Nkporo masquerade dancers in Abiastate, Nigeria. The aim is to create the feeling and atmosphere which is created on special occasions.” ~ Ral Ojah
Artist Biography:
Ral Ojah is a Nigerian scholar currently studying at Thompson Rivers University. He is currently in his third year with the aim to open an art gallery. With a keen interest in contemporary issues, Ral uses different mediums such as: pencils, oil paints and fabric to express different ideas.
About Kamloops Courthouse Gallery
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The Kamloops Courthouse Gallery is a non-profit, co-operative art gallery which was founded in 2007 by a small group of dedicated artists from the Kamloops area. Today, the Gallery and Gift Shop are managed by a growing group of artists offering a wide range of talents and skills.
The purpose of the gallery is to provide a venue for member artists to sell their work while offering the community an opportunity to experience different forms of visual and functional art. Our objectives are to provide continuing support for the co-op and its membership through the gift shop and by organizing artisan fairs in the Old Courthouse.
Another objective is to provide education by offering demonstrations and workshops for those interested in learning a new art form.
We are dedicated to creating an enriching and cultural experience for both residents and visitors of Kamloops, as well as the people of British Columbia. Culture, Art, Community and Prosperity all become a reality as a result of this initiative. We are located in the historic “Old Kamloops Courthouse” which we share with the Kamloops Community Arts Council and Arnica.
The Kamloops Courthouse Gallery Gift Shop boasts an unmatched selection of media and styles including pottery, jewelry, glass art, paintings, scupture and fibre art to suit the tastes of casual shoppers as well as serious collectors.