Meet Ama Ogwo: exploring the relationships between identity formation and environment
- Written byStudent Communications
- Published date 04 October 2024
Ama Ogwo is one of three artists who worked with UAL's Brand and Creative team to create the collages for Black History Month 2024.
We spoke to Ama to discover the artist behind the work.
Hi Ama! Can you please introduce yourself?
Hello, my name is Ama Ogwo. I am a mixed media artist based in Surrey and London. The medium of my practice is usually dictated by the subject matter I am exploring, but I frequently use textile, digital as well as archival processes . I also enjoy using drawing, painting and of course, collage!
How did your journey with art begin?
My parents are both creative people in my opinion and really encouraged my creativity from a young age. Some of my earliest memories are my mum taking my sister and I to art galleries and creative workshops, along with setting up little art activities for us to do at home. I remember always having access to some kind of arts and craft supplies to pass the time as a child.
My uncle has always been one of my biggest supporters. He has always had unwavering belief in my creative abilities and the confidence he has in me has helped immensely when I’ve had moments of self- doubt.
Why do you make art and what do you feel your mission is as an artist?
I make art because I enjoy being creative, but also because art allows me to express myself. Through art I can communicate thoughts and ideas that I find more difficult to articulate. It provides an opportunity for me to delve into complex subject matters that I am passionate about and engage in discourses through the lens of creativity.
My practice aims to convey lived experiences and my individual perspectives, which may in turn prompt conversation and introspection from audiences. I would like my position as an artist to create some form of positive change and help people in some capacity, whether that be inspiring someone to pursue their own creative journey, bringing awareness to social issues, or assisting in community workshops.
What is your work about, and what messages do you convey through it? / What are some of the recurring themes people can find in your work?
The broad theme that my work explores is identity, and I often look at different facets of identity, such as recognition, belonging, gender, race and culture. Upon reflection I think belonging has been a prominent reoccurring theme in my practice spanning back years. A lot of my work is reflective and confessional, combining text or narration with visuals or video. In recent years I have focused on exploring my own individual experiences, although in the past I have created work relating to community, black identity and racial discrimination.
What or who are your primary inspirations?
I think my inspirations are always changing as a lot of my projects take from my day-to-day experiences. However, a real turning point in my practice was the artist Emily Mulenga, whose projects around identity prompted me to reflect on my own identity formation. Additionally, the artist Adam Farrah introduced me to the idea fragmented identity which later played a role in my exploration into themes of assimilation.
What piece of yours stands out the most to you? Why?
The piece that stands out the most to me would probably be my film piece Authenticity, Emulation, Belonging. It's one of the pieces I am most proud of as it addressed thoughts and emotions which I have usually avoid addressing and acknowledging. I believe I did a good job at conveying my experiences through narration, sound, imagery and video, and it was nice to have a “finished product” after all the trials and tribulations that come with trying to make your ideas a reality.
What achievements are you most proud of?
An achievement I am proud of is going to university and completing my degree. I also think my confidence and the social connections I have made are something that I am proud of, as I consider myself an introverted and socially anxious. Whilst I still do get anxious sometimes, I have been able to build my self-confidence and I am much more self-assured than I used to be. I am better at meeting and reaching out to new people, and I don’t let my anxieties deter me from being involved in opportunities and new experiences.
You graduated this summer (congratulations!) What are you planning to do next?
I am currently a part of the Associates Studio Programme (ASP), which has given me the opportunity to develop and expand my artistic practice outside of an academic context, helping me learn how to balance my artistic practice alongside other commitments and responsibilities. I am currently exploring themes of creative labour, value and joy. I have also been working towards building a career in a more community-oriented role.
Why does the world need creativity?
Creativity has endless potential: offering to be a form of expression, becoming a symbol of protest or a tool for recovery. It can bring people together helping to forge new relationships and communities. With creativity present in so many aspects of our daily lives I struggle to imagine how much would happen without it. The books we read, the shows we watch, the games we play, the clothes we wear, the music we listen to, are all derived from creativity. I think it would be quite a bleak existence without it.
You’ve been selected as part of the Black History Month campaign for UAL. The theme being ‘Reclaiming narratives’- what does the month and the chosen theme mean to you?
I think that the theme of reclaiming narratives is especially important at a time when misinformation and false narratives are becoming increasingly prevalent. Additionally, a lot of information surrounding Black History and culture is extremely hidden and inaccessible, and much of the information that has been made accessible has been curated with some parts being altogether erased.
I find myself conflicted when thinking about Black History as a month. Of course, I am glad that Black History is being celebrated and made more accessible. However, at the same time it would be nice if Black History was treated as history that deserves to be taught, accessed and discussed more frequently beyond the month of October.
My collage is inspired by Lola Olufemi’s Feminism, Interrupted: Disrupting Power (2020), specifically her writings about the radical roots of feminism, and the erasure of Black women’s contributions to the movement.
I began thinking about the erasure of histories in relation to roots in nature and their ability to reclaim or disrupt our carefully curated manmade spaces or structures. My collage is intended to be a symbolic visualisation of reclaiming narratives surrounding Blackness, Black Culture and Black History, as well as encouragement to share new unheard experiences or histories.
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See more of Ama's work on UAL Showcase
Find out more about Black History Month 2024 at UAL