“The future is digital. My artwork presents a story of the future and the past: my future and my past. I express the desire to hide and be seen, simultaneously, and the hesitations to treasure true beauty and strength while exploring the sui generis nature of individuality. I am my own muse. My thoughts and truths inspire me and express the universal struggle for identity – a merging of inner worlds with the textures of reality. My works show my facial features interwoven with patterns that reflect my powerful heritage and African culture.”
Self On Secrets, 2017, Digital print on canvas, 50 x 50 cm
Somi Nwandu
Somi Nwandu
Somi Nwandu (born 1993) was enamored with the arts from and early age. She was fascinated with photography and spent years exploring digital software alongside expressing her creativity
through writing, painting, and fashion illustration. In 2013, she graduated from the Art Institute of New York with a degree in Fashion Design, and in 2016, further obtained 2 degrees in Fashion
Business Management, and International Trade & Marketing for the Fashion Industries from the renowned Fashion Institute of Technology. She recently completed an MA in Global Creative
and Cultural Industries (GCCI) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London while actively pursuing her art in photography, fashion and the digital world. Beyond academia, Somi draws inspiration from her experiences holding positions in branding, creative project management, marketing, and art direction. A burgeoning, award-winning photographer and visual artist, she believes in the power of art to uplift, unify, and inspire people. Working in various media, her hope is to emphasize the significance in building more cross-cultural creative ties between Africa and the rest of the world. Somi’s works have been exhibited in various group exhibitions, as well as at international fairs and photo festivals such as The Other Art Fair LA, New York Art Fair, the Lagos Biennial, LagosPhoto, and Xposure International Photography Festival Sharjah.