Artist Statement

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‘I am passionate about creating art that transcends cultural boundaries; that will be relevant through time, while captivating a diverse audience. I believe art goes beyond its intrinsic value and can foster change in our generation by integrating creative content that questions society’s excesses and potentially raises awareness to facilitate change. My goal is to enlighten the viewer, and engage them in a concept that takes form from the combination of styles I have developed through my oeuvre, and new trajectories I intend to explore’.

–Stacey Okparavero

 

Stacey Okparavero’s undergraduate program at the University of Lagos gave her ample opportunities to explore her desire to show artistry at its best through her artistic practice. Furthermore, her graduate program at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom and Institut d’Etudes Superieure des Arts in Paris in the history and business of the contemporary art market developed her curatorial and marketing skills, introducing her to the mechanics of the international art market. Working with the African Artists Foundation (AAF) Gallery in Lagos, deepened her knowledge on artistic practice with various media, while enabling her to interact with other artists to further her growth.

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 Stacey’s skills and ability to conceptualize ideas saw marked growth as she worked or engaged with colleagues and established contemporary Nigerian artists such as Bruce Onobrakpeya; her mentor, who she currently works with. Bruce Onobrakpeya's style has had some influence on her recent work as she explores the materials and expands the boundaries and possibilities of the techniques through rigorous research and experiments. Other influential artists include, Sam Ovraiti, Tola Wewe, Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearse, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Sokari Douglas Camp and George Oshodi. 

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Her recent participation in the 2016 Dakar Biennial with a performance piece titled 'La Puissance du Toucher', established her presence on the international art scene. She showed at the Suba Biennale in the prestigious Centre International de Conférences Abdou Diouf (CICAD) with artists such as Ousmane Mbaye, Marc Montaret, Delphine Diallo and Loza Maleombho.

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The use of materials in Stacey’s work is deliberate, as she explores the best medium to express ideas. Her work takes on various forms and media, which include watercolor, plastocast,  ivorex and performance art. This is intended to engage and draw the viewer in to witness new unpredictable cycles of thought and provide a chance to challenge ones perceptions, beliefs and assumptions.

 

It is the artists’ belief that art remains a strong contender of how one expresses ideas and feelings through various media. She has no grand illusion that art would change the world, but through history, art has helped shape communities, cultures and traditions, as such, her work addresses social, political and emotional issues that resonate deeply with her.

 

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