Usen Obot (b. 1973, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) is a contemporary artist whose work interrogate our inner consciousness and its power to shape society. With a formal education in Art and Design (HND/BA), Obot's artistic practice has evolved from traditional two-dimensional mediums like ink, watercolour, and acrylics toward a dynamic, experimental use of common materials.
His current work incorporates wood, fabric, metal, stainless steel, and biodegradable elements into compelling sculptures, installations, and site-specific pieces that reflect our present-day society and provoke critical thought.
In his recent and significant "Mkpese" series, Obot explores and reimagines the ancient traditions of the 'Ekpo' society, a pre-colonial institution in which initiated men integrated spirituality, governance, and religion to maintain community harmony. By contrasting the Ekpo's principles of family custodianship and unity with contemporary governance, the series highlights the crucial role of social cohesion, empathy, and a strong family construct in building a better community.
This body of work also serves to communicate the profound significance of the spirit world in African culture and reaffirms the value of African spirituality in creating and maintaining social order. For Obot, the diverse range of materials merged in his art is symbolic, representing the unification of people from all backgrounds coming together to forge a single, cohesive society.
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Usen Obot (b. 1973, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) is a contemporary artist whose work interrogate our inner consciousness and its power to shape society. With a formal education in Art and Design (HND/BA), Obot's artistic practice has evolved from traditional two-dimensional mediums like ink, watercolour, and acrylics toward a dynamic, experimental use of common materials.
His current work incorporates wood, fabric, metal, stainless steel, and biodegradable elements into compelling sculptures, installations, and site-specific pieces that reflect our present-day society and provoke critical thought.
In his recent and significant "Mkpese" series, Obot explores and reimagines the ancient traditions of the 'Ekpo' society, a pre-colonial institution in which initiated men integrated spirituality, governance, and religion to maintain community harmony. By contrasting the Ekpo's principles of family custodianship and unity with contemporary governance, the series highlights the crucial role of social cohesion, empathy, and a strong family construct in building a better community.
This body of work also serves to communicate the profound significance of the spirit world in African culture and reaffirms the value of African spirituality in creating and maintaining social order. For Obot, the diverse range of materials merged in his art is symbolic, representing the unification of people from all backgrounds coming together to forge a single, cohesive society.
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