How do we define 'good stuff'?
This work, came out of my research and residency at LKV, Trohndheim, Norway, funded by UNESCO (April - June 2007).
It featured in my first solo exhibition - Europe at Financial Times at Babel Art Space, Trondheim.
With Responsibilities and with Shame was born in 2007, during my UNESCO-funded research on foreign prostitution in Norway. UNESCO Aschberg did not choose this topic. I did.
An installation of fabric envelopes made from used, worn-out clothing collected from women in Norway. The envelopes have been stamped with foreign stamps from all over the world, outside Nigeria.
They are addressed to my family and close friends in Nigeria and were made ready to be posted home to Nigeria. The making of these envelopes from the distressed clothes and the preparation towards dispatch by this Nigerian young female abroad is reminiscent of the way friends and family at home expect one to dispatch 'good stuff' home when you are abroad.
Some of the times, it does not seem to matter if all the 'good stuff' come out of the woman's blood or skin. I see prostitution income as blood money. There was an alarming number of Nigerian prostitutes in Norway at the time, according to data that I received from 'Prosentret' in Oslo - the 2006 report.
How much of our living are we carrying out living against our good judgement; choosing against our will; choosing because of responsibilities imposed by others? Perhaps, responsibilities imposed by 'life', family, children, fate.
What is right judgement?
What, actually is the right thing to do? How do we know?
Today, after 18 years (now in 2025) I find that I am still concerned with the issues of society, living, choices and consumption. How much 'good stuff' is enough. How much 'good stuff' becomes 'Bad Stuff'
How do we define 'good stuff'?
This work, came out of my research and residency at LKV, Trohndheim, Norway, funded by UNESCO (April - June 2007).
It featured in my first solo exhibition - Europe at Financial Times at Babel Art Space, Trondheim.