Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery presents ‘As Water Never Touched’, by Nengi Omuku, on display until January 27, 2024.

Nengi Omuku, born in 1987 in Nigeria, studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London. Her work is influenced by body politics and identity complexities. Omuku reflects on how individuals position themselves in space and how the body adapts to establish a sense of belonging, involving mental, physical, and emotional selection and assimilation of identity.

‘As Water Never Touched’ features large-scale canvases stitched by stitching Sanyan strips, creating a textured, light-permeable surface. Each piece appears complete and fragmentary, fading in and out of focus. Omuku’s work captures psychological states or thought processes, elusive and intangible. The exhibition also addresses political uncertainty, with ‘Scattered Sunbeams’ and ‘The Symphony’ depicting moments of tension and instability.

A series of smaller portraits delve into personal conflicts, reflecting Omuku’s view of the body as a dynamic site responding to internal and external influences. Collectively, these works form a compelling depiction of a constantly changing world, capturing the essence of emotions, situations, or places.

Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery exhibits innovative international artists, both emerging and established, with strong theoretical and aesthetic foundations. The gallery values a multicultural curatorial approach and maintains close relationships with museums and curators worldwide.

Source: Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery