'America as … point of reference'

The artist Dawn Okoro (take the link to her blog) on her most recent work:

I’ve just completed a set of drawings [colored pencil, ink, and watercolor on paper; the one above is ‘Woman in Igbo Print Dress’] … This drawing is called “Woman in Igbo Print Dress.” The pattern on the dress is inspired by Ukara cloth. This kind of cloth incorporates symbols that are designed to give it meaning and power … Although I have roots in Nigeria, I have never been there and I want to explore that side of my ancestry. However, I feel that I am learning about Nigeria while naturally using America as my point of reference.

Further Reading

Kenya’s vibe shift

From aesthetic cool to political confusion, a new generation in Kenya is navigating broken promises, borrowed styles, and the blurred lines between irony and ideology.

Africa and the AI race

At summits and in speeches, African leaders promise to harness AI for development. But without investment in power, connectivity, and people, the continent risks replaying old failures in new code.

After the uprising

Years into Cameroon’s Anglophone conflict, the rebellion faces internal fractures, waning support, and military pressure—raising the question of what future, if any, lies ahead for Ambazonian aspirations.