IVIE & NÉNÉ

This graduation project, ‘IVIE,’ is a collection of sources of inspiration that have shaped my creative process. My journey through South Africa and Tanzania has left a deep impression, as have the many performances, lectures, and museum visits I have attended.

I am often deeply affected and inspired by the things happening around me, as well as by social impacts on a global scale. These experiences make me think critically and motivate me to develop ideas that I hope to implement in the future. During my travels, the people, art, and culture have given me new perspectives, deepening my understanding of myself and how I view the world. They have also strengthened my sense of connection to the continent of Africa.

Through ‘IVIE,’ I aim to transform inspiration into action and contribute meaningfully to the world.

Programme
Bachelor – Docent Beeldende Kunst en Vormgeving / Art education

Practices
Autonomous

Minor
International Arts (HKU)

Website
www.nene-art.nl

‘IVIE‘

NÉNÉ, the creator of this artwork
NÉNÉ has roots in both the Netherlands and Nigeria. In recent years, she has traveled to Africa and delved into the African diaspora to better understand herself and her visual language. This exploration empowers her and motivates her as an art educator to empower her students and teach them about their cultural roots.
Deepening in Afrofuturism
In recent months, NÉNÉ has immersed herself in Afrofuturism, an art and culture movement that focuses on the history and culture of the Black community. Afrofuturism integrates elements of activism, science, technology, and futurism, and is often connected with literature, music, and visual arts. It provides a perspective to think about current social issues and how connections can be made. Afrofuturism invites us to decolonize conditioned thinking patterns and create a new world.

Queerness
NÉNÉ’s research into Afrofuturism and the oppression of queer identities in Africa, strengthened by anti-LGBTQ laws, resulted in ‘IVIE,’ an installation that symbolizes self-expression and resistance. In her research, she reflected on how queer identities can meet and stand together, even in today’s world where being queer is threatened with the death penalty.
This design represents her struggle against oppression and is imprinted with a symbol partly derived from her own doodles, which she later recognized in traditional African fabrics. The symbol she often drew represents the fluidity of queerness and her vision of an Afrofuturistic world where fluidity exists without imposed boundaries, as Africa actually knew before colonization.

‘IVIE’
NÉNÉ’s research into Afrofuturism and the oppression of queer identities in Africa, strengthened by anti-LGBTQ laws, resulted in ‘IVIE,’ an installation that symbolizes self-expression and resistance. In her research, she reflected on how queer identities can meet and stand together, even in today’s world where being queer is threatened with the death penalty.

This design represents her struggle against oppression and is imprinted with a symbol partly derived from her own doodles, which she later recognized in traditional African fabrics. The symbol she often drew represents the fluidity of queerness and her vision of an Afrofuturistic world where fluidity exists without imposed boundaries, as some parts of Africa actually knew before colonization.

Involvement of students
Additionally, NÉNÉ has involved her students in this project. In her classes, she has used expressiveness to make them think about how they want to move in costumes in a world they are currently visualizing, as they are currently creating a musical. With this artwork,
NÉNÉ hopes to contribute to a world where everyone can be free to be themselves, regardless of cultural roots or sexual identity.

International Arts (HKU) x Wakada Dance Company (Zanzibar, Tanzania)

During my studies, I pursued a minor in International Arts, during which I conducted two months of research in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This minor involved collaboration with students from various disciplines to design solutions for international cultural issues.

A significant project during my stay was our partnership with Wakada Dance Company, an organization dedicated to creating a space where dancers are trained in both artistic expression and community engagement. Wakada emphasizes international visibility and exchanges, aiming to foster professionalism in Zanzibar for authentic forms of expression. The goal is to nurture talent in an environment where art is recognized as an integral part of society.