Okore’s installation explores ecological concerns related to food waste. Made from organic food scraps such as banana peels, expired berries, orange peels and others, she creates organic matter and bioplastic material, which she uses to paint on sheer fabric and make art. Through the installation, she hopes to bring people closer to waste problems and promote ecological discourse by inviting them to connect with the bioplastic artworks and think about waste through touch, smell and feel. By adopting an interactive approach, the work enables the viewers to connect with the bio-art materials in ways that are experiential, educative and transformative.
Okore’s work broadly focuses on ecological concerns that are specifically related to waste, carbon emission and energy consumption. Using plant-based materials she creates bioplastics which are made into large sculptural forms and art installations. By using biodegradable materials she not only aestheticizes or problematizes the waste issue, but she also contributes to its solution by making materials that procure less waste, and pose little risk to the environment. She enables dialogue, narratives and experience to intersect with her creative and material practice, in a way that is edifying, informative and transformative for her and the viewer.
Photo: Maša Pirc / BIEN
Nnenna Okore was born in Australia, raised in Nigeria, and works in the United States. She is a Professor of Art at Chicago’s North Park University. As a Chicago art practitioner, Okore has participated in numerous participatory art projects and exhibitions designed to produce dialogue, artmaking, and an awareness of current environmental issues. She is currently involved in collaborative environmental projects across Nigeria, Australia, and the United States. Okore is a recipient of many awards and her work has been exhibited around the world. Okore’s recent exhibitions include the Triënnale Brugge exhibition in Belgium and the Chengdu Biennale in China.
