INTERwoven TEXTures

A multitude of symbols dance before the viewer’s eyes entirely encompassing several walls. These dozens of forms appear to be a cross-between calligraphy and an undeciphered script. Their proximity to each other makes it seem as if they were part of a long-lost text that is only now being revealed. The symbols seem to undulate like a wave in different colors. They are none other than the reimagined ancient Nigerian communication system, Nsibidi transformed into Nigerian-born Washington DC-based artist Victor Ekpuk’s unique language of abstraction exploring nsibidi “traditional” graphics and writing systems in Nigeria. A recurring signature element of his varied oeuvre, such symbolism has now evolved to encompass a larger spectrum of meaning focused on African identity, historical narratives, the African diaspora and the sacred and the spiritual.

Just as the original nsibidi sign systems were used to convey ideas, Ekpuk uses his reimagined symbols to explore the global contemporary art discourses of today, and how they are shaped by the past and the present. Nsibidi, a sacred and secret system of graphic communication among initiates of Ekpe (meaning “leopard” in Ekoi language) society of the Ejagham people of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon in the Cross River region of Nigeria in sub-Saharan Africa, the symbolism is also used by the nearby Ibibio, Efik and Igbo peoples. Interestingly, similar to Ekpuk’s reappropriation of the language, the spoken and sign language of the ancient Nsibidi communication systems, he explains “actually cuts through the language barriers of the people with different languages.”
 

For more information and images visit: https://efiegallery.com/articles/victor-ekpuk-interwoven-textures