Uzo Njoku Presents: The Neighborhood
An Inaugural Group Exhibition
Over the past three years, Uzo Njoku (b. 1996) has dedicated her artistic focus to creating structural paintings capturing the essence of various communities, collectively termed as her "Neighborhood Series." The inception of this series involved portraying row houses in Washington, DC, where Uzo brought vibrancy to her art by depicting people from displaced communities in the city.
As the Neighborhood Series approaches its conclusion, Uzo seeks to extend the platform to 13 other artists. Through an open call, she invites these artists to interpret and express their own perceptions of community. This upcoming exhibition aims to transcend the conventional, transactional nature of art presentations. Uzo, functioning both as a practicing artist and a curator, endeavors to move beyond the traditional confines of public exhibitions. Her intention is to foster a more engaging and supportive environment for emerging artists at the early stages of their careers, providing not only space but also encouragement and opportunities for creative expression.
VIP OPENING RECEPTION
2100 L ST NW - THADDEUS STEVENS SCHOOL (IN PARTNERSHIP W/ AKRIDGE)
ARTIST BIO
Born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in the USA, Uzo Njoku (b. 1996) is a breakout painter and determined business woman set on bridging the gap between fine art and the commercial world of design. Having received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in Studio Art in 2019, she is now enrolled in the MFA programme at the New York Academy of Art. Surprisingly, Njoku originally registered to study Statistics at university, yet switched majors as her artistic interests and talents became more apparent. One of Njoku’s art heroes Njideka Akunyili Crosby followed a similar path. This encouraged her to transfer courses, and she has since keenly followed Akunyili Crosby’s successful career.
Njoku, however, considers herself to be coasting in her own lane, paving a path that suits her unique way of working. Due to a lack of funding, Njoku started making and selling prints to financially support herself whilst at college. Her early works were well received and widely collected. Almost overnight, her business came into being.
