Tonia Nneji

Place: Lagos State

Born: 1991

Biography:

Contemporary artist Tonia Nneji comes from a long line of traditional carvers and masquerade carriers. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Visual Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2016. Known for her use of bold colours and intricate patterns, Nneji’s work explores the relationship between trauma and the female body. Drawing from her experience in dealing with personal health issues, she confronts a culture of suppression and silence on women’s physical and mental health, body autonomy and sexual harassment in a bid to create safe spaces where conversations could be held freely. Her work also investigates the nature of commemorative fabrics and the ways they represent and transcend notions of place and belonging. This preoccupation with body forms and textile material navigates cultural and social meanings of fabric in contemporary African societies while also exploring the protective qualities of clothing. She has held solo exhibitions, including 'You May Enter' at Rele Gallery, Lagos, and participated in group exhibitions such as 'Dancing in Dark Times' at Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London, and 'Orita Meta' at Rele Gallery, Los Angeles. Nneji was a resident at the Art Dubai residency in 2020 and is a recipient of the Ronke Ekwensi Fellowship.