By Chukwuma Ajakah

The last quarter of the year has been quite eventful for the Nigerian arts and artists. The Lagos art community in particular is leading other cities in the celebration of the rich artistic works of arts ranging from theatre performances to visual art exhibitions, film show, concert, festivals and more.

One of such artists who had very busy schedules is a multidisciplinary and multilingual artist, Stacey Ejiroghene Okparavero, also known as Stacey Ravvero. Currently, she is participating in two exhibitions; a joint titled “Truly Nomadic” at Nomadic Art Gallery, Lagos and a solo at the Goethe-Institut, Lagos entitled “Une r’Ekpè” which translates from Urhobo to (Song of the soil). It will run till December 9.
Her collection of works iterates across diverse media including painting, metal sculpture, poetry and performance art.
She imagines her artistic practice to be fluid and evolving, driven by her desire for experimentation, freedom and self-mastery. She explores and merges the boundaries between visual disciplines, which allows her the freedom to constantly test the possibilities of materiality.
Stacey’s multifaceted practice currently interrogates the human experience, while focusing on socio-political and environmental issues. She also explores varied materials such as repurposed metal, acrylic, pastel and ink as well as ephemeral material, such as soil, air and water, which is evident in her performance installations/happenings. Through her works, she creates safe spaces for collective healing and growth, using performance art as a driver, to explore the mind-body connections in relation to the environment.
Her works have been shown across Berlin, Lagos, London, Chambéry, Tennessee, Dakar, Accra, Nairobi and New York. Some notable exhibitions she has featured in include; Unravelling the
Underdevelopment Complex, Savvy Contemporary, Berlin Germany, 2022, Èkako r’Évu (Plant Womb), Zentrum Für Kunst und Urbanistik, Berlin Germany, 2022, Gallery of Small things Dakar Biennial Off, Senegal, 2018, Art Expo New York, 2019.
The durational performance titled “She seeks the face of God” lasted several minutes of spinning nonstop, which was a sacred immersive experience.
The details on the skirt draws attention to the biblical references of our relationship to nature, how we should care for it, drawing from parables inspired by nature.
Interestingly at one of her outings, the audience one by one joined in the performance and ended in a circle reminding us we are connected and part of the earth.
The immersive installations, artworks and workshops all create a multifaceted experience which advocates better environmental practices and awareness.
Her works include what have we done? Sacred stands, the nest, an immersive multi-sensory art installation.
Stacey is also a mindfulness coach and creative entrepreneur who is passionate about curating a holistic and robust sensory experience in art and lifestyle, while promoting cultural identity.
She is a holder of BA Visual Art, from the University of Lagos, an M.A. History and Business of the Contemporary Art Market from the University of Warwick and P. G Diploma Institut d’Études Supérieur des Arts Paris
Her multifaceted practice currently investigates the human experience, while focusing on socio-political and environmental issues.
On the sources of her inspiration, she said: “I enjoy basking in mundane experiences and moving mindfully through life. I absorb the socio-cultural climate I’m immersed in and enjoy how it manifests in my work. I’m particularly drawn to advocacy, so my artistic practice advocates environmental and socio-cultural issues.”