Sacred communication inspired new mural by Nigerian American artist

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

"Drawing Memory" musral by Victor Ekpuk

MEMPHIS---Memphis Brooks Museum of Art commissions Victor Ekpuk, a Nigerian American artist, to paint "Drawing Memory: Essence of Memphis" for the African art gallery. His art is inspired by nsibidi, a sacred means of communication among male secret societies in southeastern Nigeria. Evolving out of the graphic and writing systems of nsibidi, Ekpuk’s art embraces a wider spectrum of meaning to communicate universal themes. “The subject matter of my work deals with the human condition explained through themes that are both universal and specific: family, gender, politics, culture and identity,” said Ekpuk. The 58-foot mural is the beginning of the renovation of Arts of Global Africa, which will culminate in fall 2017.

Ekpuk’s artworks are in such collections as the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art, Newark Museum, The World Bank, Hood Museum, Krannert Art Museum, United States Art in Embassies Art Collection and Fidelity Investment Art Collection.