Since meeting in 2012 in Nigeria, amanze and Ogunji have engaged in an ongoing artistic exchange of writings, performances, conversations and shows in shared spaces.
Fridman Gallery is honored to present you are so loved and lovely, an exhibition of works in dialog by ruby onyinyechi amanze and Wura-Natasha Ogunji. The exhibition features new large-scale drawings and paintings, a selection of small works created early in the artists’ careers, videos, and audio recordings.
Wura: If we are making the same drawing over and over again and always throughout our lifetime, how would you describe it?
Me: two separate/separated things connecting over an expanse
ruby: A calculated (or mathematical?) and spontaneous arrangement of space towards some sort of dance or poem.
ruby onyinyechi amanze creates drawings on paper. Using a non-linear narrative, she explores architecture, dance (such as the movement language of Gaga), play, and design. Born in Port-Harcourt, amanze lives and works between New York and Philadelphia.
Wura-Natasha Ogunji works in drawing, video and performance. Her hand-stitched drawings on architectural tracing paper are inspired by daily interactions in Lagos, Nigeria. Her performances explore the presence of women in public spaces, labor, leisure, freedom and frivolity. Born in St. Louis, Ogunji lives and works in Lagos.
The artists will give a talk and performance, Pas de Deux, on September 8 at 4pm.
ruby onyinyechi amanze and Wura-Natasha Ogunji: you are so loved and lovely will be on view from September 8 through October 12, 2019 at Fridman Gallery, 169 Bowery, NYC.
The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated catalog with an essay by Emmanuel Iduma.