The Art of Revolution Spotlight: Eseosa Edebiri

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Now is a time for radical change. 
At Uprising Theater, we believe that art is a pillar of revolution. Inherently interactive, it forces society to engage with the perspectives of individual communities. From ten-story murals to fashion, to photography, to dance, art elevates the voice of the people. As a Palestinian American theater company, 
our mission has always been to amplify the voices of marginalized communities seeking social justice. As our society faces this exciting movement, we feel it imperative to play a role in passing the mic to Black voices.

 
 
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Meet the Artist

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I'm a Nigerian American textile artist, born and raised in Northern California. I received my BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and now reside in Chicago. Through a combination of digital and handmade processes, I intend to tell my story and simultaneously create space for those around me whose identities are often compromised.

My work addresses a serious need for the representation of black and brown bodies translated into text and imagery and then used within textile-based work, such as weavings, latch hook, prints, and tufted pieces. The text utilized within my work is taken from conversations between myself and those dear to me being their most true selves who may be caught mid-laugh or in a captured playful pose.

Representing these communities in happiness evokes compassion and empathy instead of sympathy, as we often see representation in death. There is a soft, tactile side to my work as well. I aim to create work and build spaces that play off one's desires to touch and whether or not I allow that touch.

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The Art

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Behind the Art

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I heard you like apple pie. In this household, we're living, we're laughing, and boy are we loving. Home is where the he(art) is as they say.

I've always loved how textiles and fiber offer a soft, tactile way of addressing serious issues. That's just what I'm doing here as we see an influx of police brutality, inequity, and those in power deciding that historically racist statues matter more than BIPOC lives. 

During my Shelter residency, I reflected on a range of thoughts and feelings through quarantine that I took a deeper dive into. Garment making was something I had thought a good deal about, yet hadn't tried yet. With all the time at home, I got to sewing. 

In this show put up by Root Division in San Francisco, I revisited old work, then created something new in response to that work and the times we're living in. Though we didn't get to hold a show in the gallery due to Covid19, there is this wonderful opportunity to host online and share that work with a wider audience. The show will be up in February 2021 in the gallery, with new work reflecting more of this period. 

I plan to come back to this punch needle piece made for Uprising Theater to create a world for the piece to live in. A handful of the works I make exist both as objects and documentation as art. When referring to documentation as art, that's the process of setting a scene, taking a photo, and that image acting as its own piece thereafter. Once I've created that world, you can find it on my website.

 
 

Connect & Discover

 
 
 

The Art of Revolution
Spotlight Series

#blackartmatters

 

This is only the beginning.

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The goal of The Art of Revolution Series is to commission at least ten Black female and non-binary artists to amplify their rich artistic contributions in the medium of their choosing.

Throughout July, we will be introducing you to the selected artists and showcasing their work. We encourage you to like, subscribe, follow and share their work.

Support Local Voices.

Your support enables us to continue our mission: using art to amplify the voices of marginalized groups. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing work. Any amount will make an impact. Donations can be made through our GoFundMe Charity Page or via PayPal. Please note/select #BlackArtMatters.