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>>Collages, Paintings and Mixed Media works by artist/designer Ife Nii Owoo

Artist statementAs a visual storyteller, I'm exploring color, texture and pattern. Presently, I have been working outside of the traditional canvas--creating fans, shaped collages and mixed media. Many of my pieces are also assemblages of images and found objects. I am using objects and, images I've collected over the years. My work is a reflection of many roles, experienced over the past 30 years. I am basically--what may be called a rescuer by nature, and presently I have channeled that part of my nature into my work. It has been an interesting journey, seeing what shows up and what is salvageable.About IfeIfe knew she was destined to be an artist from the time she could hold a pencil. She started painting at the age of three when she attended art classes with her mother who was an art student at Morgan State University. She received numerous awards throughout her early education and won scholarships to attend Saturday classes at Tyler School of Art, the Philadelphia Collage of Art and Moore College of Art, in Philadelphia. However, it was her high school art teacher that introduced her to Graphics and Printmaking. Ife won a full scholarship to The School of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University (New York) where she received a Bachelors Degree in Printmaking. After graduation, in 1973 she moved to London, England and attended the London Printing School (now called the London School of Communications). There, she studied graphic design, printmaking, typography and animation, receiving a postgraduate certificate in design studies. In 1976, Ife married Ghanaian filmmaker Kwate Nii Owoo and moved to Ghana, West Africa. She studied African Visual Arts at the Institute of African Studies, while becoming the mother of two sons. In 1981, Ife returned to the States after 9 years of living abroad. It is this cross-cultural experience that continues to impact her vision and her work. She creates art as a mother, artists, and traveler, who explores the meaning and symbols behind many cultural influences.Ife's illustrations and designs are seen on numerous jackets of books of the Afro Centric literary movement of the 1990s. In 1992 she wrote, and illustrated a children's book entitled "A is for Africa: look at Africa through the Alphabet" Working primary as a graphic artist, in 2007, she received a Leeway Grant, which allowed her to create a new body of fine art collages, and paintings and a solo show to launch her back into a fine art career.Education • Certificate in Professional Development, Artist Teacher Institute, Rutgers University (New Jersey), (2006-2007)• Candidate MFA African Visual Arts, University of Ghana (Legon, Ghana) (1978-1979)• Post Graduate Studies, Graphic Design/Typography, London School of Communications (London, England) (1975-1976) • BFA, Printmaking (Cum Laude) Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York) (1970-1974 )Sir John Cass School of Art, (London, England) (1972-1973)

bio

collection

casual

Dawn's Light
Dawn's Light Detail
Drinking Gourd
Usher me unto the Light
Mulberry Tree: Forty Acres
Mulberry Tree: Mama's Diamond
Mulberry Tree: Mama's Diamond
Yele Haiti
My Spirit Dances
Mojo’s Com’in Down
Hope Walking in the Valley
Colored Water
Untitled
Women of Letters
Colored Girls
Reawakening
What Happens Happens
Harvest Moon

accessories

Presidents House Series:
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series
Presidents House Series

evening

Slavery 101
The Arrival
Mulberry Tree: Pop Pop's Chair
Mami Wata
Mami Wata (detail)
untitled

casual
accessories
evening

gallery

events
Current Exhibitions:2010 Public Art CommissionThe Presidents House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation Commemorative Site Independence National Historical Park,Philadelphia, PAPresidents House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation commemorates the site gives voice to the long-obscured story of nine enslaved Africans who toiled at the house during George Washingtons presidency. This project offered me an opportunity to to listen to a diverse group of stakeholders, community leaders, city officials, architects, filmmakers, historians and designers who where instrumental in the creation of Presidents House Commemorative site. Thechallenge was to create a memorial that would lend itself to engage visitors to continue adialogue on slavery and the struggle for freedom. As a graphic designer and artist, I employed cultural icons/symbols/African scripts, quotations and words that communicate universal and enduring matters of spirit and value. I researched and presented both visual and written quotes for the Slave Memorial structure, one component of this commemorative site.

The President's House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation

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>> 2012 Happy New Year !

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For information on sale of artwork or

exhibition opportunities please contact:

Ife Nii Owoo

5225 Greene Street, studio3

Philadelphia, PA 19144

Studio visits are by appointment only

p. 215.848.4499

f.215.848.7094

e. info_ifedesigns.com

www.ifestudio3.com

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© 2010 Ife Nii Owoo. All rights carefully reserved and preserved. This work may not be duplicated or copied without written permission from artist.

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