Looking back on this piece, I created it on the back of inspiration that fueled my first exhibition, The Village, particularly “Threat of the West.” But I also believe it...
Looking back on this piece, I created it on the back of inspiration that fueled my first exhibition, The Village, particularly “Threat of the West.” But I also believe it to be the starting point/building block that will carry me into my next body of work, and the history I’m thinking about as I explore Nigeria and my tribal home of Igboland.
We’re still determining the exact date of this photo but my aunt estimates somewhere between mid 60s-70s. It’s of my uncle and his associates when they worked in construction. You can see the heavy machinery being the focal point of the photo and my piece. I was told that they were working on deforestation.
The company Dumez (signed on the machine) was and still is a leading contributor to infrastructure in Nigeria since 1958. Much of modern infrastructure in the region was in response to the discovery of oil reserves from 1953-1961.
In part, this is why I name the piece “New Industry;” the importance of the petroleum industry and how that’s built the economy/infrastructure of Nigeria. How petroleum continues to affect the political, structural, and environmental landscape within the country, fueling civil (tribal) unrest, and keeping firm interest, investment, and covert control in the hands of western governments following Nigeria’s independence.
When I go back to Nigeria (hopefully this winter), it’s from this framework I want to explore and lean into research about the Biafran War of 1967-1970.
I hope that helps give a bit of perspective onto the piece. I’m really interested in dissecting my families history alongside the history of the country, and how that‘s shaped how we came to be here in the U.S today.