Berlin | ArtRegion: Berlin, Schöneberg

ChertLüdde

Ozioma Onuzulike: Strings the Length of Our Palm’s Seal

12. November 2022 – 21. Januar 2023

Realizing the exhibition „Strings the Length of Our Palm’s Seal“ has been an extensive journey through geographies, time, emotions and poetry, Onuzulike, a ceramicist, poet and scholar, has used his body of work to re-conceptulate traditional West African ceramic materials and techniques for purposes of political resistance. His findings and connections to topics of which he is neither shy nor passive towards, have provided unmistakeable truths and insight into his oeuvre.
Onuzulike displays large-scale works from his series composed of palm kernel shells, terracotta and stoneware, which draw on memories and traumas of past and present conflicts. The clay is subject to great pressure and burning, representing an irreversible process that mirrors war and destruction of natural resources. His narrative is unified by the poetics of storytelling, referencing Igbo culture with lines, curvilinear designs and body paintings, creating a powerful visual language. Consequently, Onuzulike’s works are dense with meaning and allusion, conveying a powerful message.

In his work, the artist extends the notion of lines as both aesthetic and symbolic threads of continuity and connectivity, joining together both historical and contemporary traditions through his research. Consequently, „Strings the Length of Our Palm’s Seal“ is an example of this as it brings together disparate works from two very different series – „AIDS to Africa“ (1999) and „The Honeycomb Project“ (2020) – that, despite the temporal and purposeful divide, are now inextricably linked.

„The Honeycomb Project“, a series by Onuzulike, speaks to the current state of emergency caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the collective community. This work draws parallels between the structures of bee hives and isolation quarters or intensive care units to emphasize the fragility of life and its resilience. Clothing, namely the medical uniforms of healthcare workers and the protective gear worn against bees, is also addressed to highlight the shared motive of preserving and nurturing life. The individual tiles making up the project suggest a map, with lines of demarcation reminiscent of the Berlin Conference of 1884, which saw the dissection and division of Africa among the Western nations.
Drawing a parallel between the two pandemics of „AIDS in Africa“ and „The Honeycomb Project“, Onuzulinke’s exhibition opens up a discussion about the disparities in urgency dictated by population at risk, stigma, and discrimination. His work poses uncomfortable questions, yet also creates a web of connections that reminds us of the power of the human spirit.