Maureen Maduadichie
Maureen Odirah Maduadichie is a visual artist whose works comprise mixed media pieces, paintings, and sculptures.
Artist Statement:
Through mixed media collages, Maduadichie processes her thoughts about identity, what it means, and how one person can possess multiple. For example, certain features like being a woman, Igbo, Nigerian, Christian, educated, recycler, and meat-eater – can somehow all form parts of one’s identity and define their values. Her works seek to explore this principle with regards to culture; specifically, fashion and costuming because costumes have the power to create multiple characters. Thus, her pieces are heavily influenced by masquerade attires from Igbo land and other African cultures.
Materials that once served a domestic function- like egg cartons, and fabric softener sheets, are transformed to embody their potential for delicacy and beauty. When they are joined with yarn or thread, they become costume-like and take on a different shape and personality. So, in this way, everything serves this dual purpose- to be used and then to become Art. These material explorations allow for a playfulness and limitlessness that other more traditional media may not permit.
The aim of gathering and repurposing these materials is to move the viewer to take a closer look, connect to and with them, and reflect on all the possibilities and multiplicities that can exist within a single material.
