Artistic Statement

The Street: Changes and Nostalgias.

Cosmos M. Ukenedo

The ever changing social and political landscape of Nigeria is reeling with scenes that projects excitements and nostalgias. I have feasted on these paradoxes in my creativity. Being a resident of Lagos, the once federal capital of the country, the humdrum of varying social events connives with the mesmerizing political melodrama and have influenced by oeuvre tremendously. Therefore, my research will poke on these events, albeit in a very effusive way. My color pallet exudes the vibrancy of my environment, weaving all the social nuances that have come to characterize it. And I have continued to explore these social ideas, as my slides eloquently portray.

Danfo revolt is a reenactment of the commercial busses of Lagos state. The menace posed by these vehicles in the landscape is very jarring. However, they are the only means for ordinary Legosians to commute from one point to the next. Faced with traffic and poor road network the vehicle strives to meet the movement needs of the people. By portraying the danfo in this way, I am speaking about these vagaries that follow the operators and commuters of this vehicle. On its part, Arrested Development, speaks to the condition many citizens are put in the country. Not only is the country not able to live above and beyond many, but poor government planning and implementation has left more than half of the population live not only in deplorable condition, but a condition that is likened to an arrested development. The vast swarth of my work broaches all these nuances as they unfold in my environment, and the same I wish to further explore going forward in my MFA.       

In the course of pursuing my academic goals of acquiring an MFA in painting and drawing at Lamar Dodd School of Art, I have completed the program of BFA in Arts and Design at the IMT Enugu, Nigeria. And have had over ten years of work experience in the art and design industry. The combination of my education and work experiences place me as a very fit candidate for the MFA program. I cannot wait to join your prestigious art school to further explore and project my artistic mettle. In conducting my search for the best art department, I found that your department is equipped with the necessary bandwidth that have all the trapping of a world class art school. I hope to be part of the department.