Ejiwa “Edge” Ebenebe – Genesis
Edition: 20
Size: 23″x24″ + 2.5″ white border
STATEMENT: Within the depths of space slumbers an ancient entity. Born of untold mass and limitless energy, it awaits the hour of its intended purpose. Upon that fated moment, it shall whisper it’s final breath, surrendering to destiny and giving itself up to create life anew.
The stylistic aspects of my work are largely driven by streams of consciousness constantly swirling in my mind. Streams I then feel compelled to pull into reality; the above snippet is one that sparked as a result of Genesis’ completion, as I sought to understand the face that had materialized. This piece started as a stylistic and technical exploration — the nagging feeling of holding back in my artwork often cycles through my creative phases, but occasionally it’ll rise to a point where I feel overwhelmed by the frustration of it, I think this is perhaps a common feeling amongst creatives — that there are doors within us that we may be too timid or afraid to unlock, or ones that we aren’t even fully aware of yet. And so, this was one of many ongoing attempts to free the voice that was nudging at me to be let go — I had created this sketch as part of a set of explorations, but something about this one felt especially compelling to me that I had to complete it. Images and colours generally spring spontaneously to mind, crafted by the rabbit hole my mind loves to wander through, and so I decided to follow along and let it lead me where it chose. My personal work is driven by a deep conviction — the desire to see powerful, vibrant, joyful, uncompromising visions of our humanity as Black people existing in this world, and those deep feelings flash visions of powerful and unyielding beings in my mind. And as I painted Genesis, I felt a being call out to me, and I brought them into focus.
BIO: Ejiwa ‘Edge’ Ebenebe is a Nigerian-Canadian artist based in BC, Canada. Born outside of her parent’s homeland, she experienced multiple cultures throughout her childhood and early adulthood. As an immigrant, she wrestles with concepts of community and identity, both within herself and her work. She strives to create representation for voices (particularly Black and/or LGBTQ+ women) who are often pushed out of positive, empowering narratives. Simultaneously echoing in her work is a love for the ethereal, fantasy stories she grew up with.
From a passion for vibrant colours to a love of ornamentation, her varying homes have strongly moulded her creative perspective, weaving themselves throughout each piece. In combining all these influences she hopes to create uplifting and whimsical work, a respite from life’s rigours. Over the course of her career, she has worked with clients including Scholastic, Wizards of the Coast and Marvel. Her work has also featured in publications such as F(r)iction, Infected By Art and ImagineFX Magazine.
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DETAILS:
VMF Academy Collection is a curated series of premium prints
Short run edition limited to 20 prints per piece
Printed in partnership with Dominion Blue on acid-free, archival cotton paper stock (190 gsm), with Canon UVGel 355 Inks
Each print is signed/numbered by the artist and receives an inaugural embossing with the VMF Academy Collection emblem
Highly collectible and sought-after, the featured pieces will be available for a limited time only (May 5-30th)
20% Discount on framing at our curator’s preferred specialist Browning & CO
Prints will be mailed out mid-late June 2021