Masked – The Outing || An Exhibition by Chuma Anagbado

Artist’s Statement
Mmanwu – the age old masquerade of the Igbo is performed solely by members of male secret societies wearing elaborate, ornamental and very colorful costumes that are designed to evoke the ancestral spirits. A key aspect of the masquerade is the face covering that comes in different forms and inspired by natural life forms. The Mask serves as the window through which the spirits; the ancestors connect, see and communicate with the physical world. Today, the mmanwu inspires, entertains, connects realms and presents the ephemeral – the mmanwu is a mask!
2020 came with its challenges but one universal challenge forced Humanity to pause social activities and just plainly seek to survive. The pandemic did not just make us all masquerades but also has provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for the world to review, recalibrate and re/present all sides of our existence. Laden with uncertainty, fear, despair and yet hope, we are pulling through the scourge – some of us sadly, passed on!

Eleven months after Nigeria’s officially reported COVID-19 index case, I got infected!

Masked, the outing – my outing is a visual expression of lines and colors dipped from my moments of fear and despair, hopelessness and hope, fate and faith couched in revolving layers of subliminal performance.

Artist’s Biography
CHUMA ANAGBADO

Born in Gboko, Benue State – Nigeria on the 28th of August 1982, Chuma is a versatile, innovative and multi-talented being. He grew up all over Nigeria, travelling with a Civil Engineer father and Home Maker/Artist mother. From a very tender age, Chuma has been drawn to nature, beauty and hands-on activities. After graduating from the University of Benin with a Fine & Applied Arts (Sculpture Majors) degree in 2005, he began his career as an Art Director at Dawn Functions (Enugu) and later IMS Advertising (Lagos). He has since worked in various capacities in advertising agencies in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In 2012, he proceeded to the University for the Creative Arts, Rochester UK where he graduated with a distinction honors in Design (Interdisciplinary). Chuma’s work cuts across Graphic & Communications design, Brand & Identity design, Space design (Interior & Architectural), UI/UX design, Furniture design, Experience design, Business design, Social Design and New Innovations.

He became an entrepreneur in 2012 with the founding of Lizaad; an Afrocentric lifestyle brand. Followed in 2014 with the co-founding of Aziza Design; Nigeria’s first multidisciplinary design firm. In 2018 he co-founded Mbari Uno (House of Collaboration); a social enterprise using design to build human capacity and make social impact. He has won one national award for outstanding contribution to design services and is a design leader whose work is fast redefining and shaping design practice across Africa. Today, Chuma is a full blown Designer, Artist and Entreprenuer that is passionate about creating effective collaborations, sustainable solutions and promoting cultural identity. He got married in 2010 to Jennifer Omosefe with whom they have three lovely children – Ivie Nebechi, Beluchi Ogie and Adesuwa Chetachi.

Exhibition Date: 23rd – 28th April, 2021
Venue: Mbari Uno Showroom
 10C Ladoke Akintola, Ikeja G.R.A., Lagos