'LOCKDOWN NO BI LOCKUP' - Drawing
Dimension: 12'' x 12''
Certification of Authenticity: Apricus Art Collection
Signature: Signed by Artist
In the era of COVID-19, during the 14 days lockdown, I wanted to do a series on "staying at home" so I started creating this drawing. After working for hours, I checked my Facebook page and saw the #theartistladder14dayartdiary art challenge to create one work a day and post it on Instagram: 14 days, 14 artworks. Staying at home for the next 14 days is a hard bone to crack, especially for artists who are always on the move. One needs to be focused and be positive that this time shall soon pass. Lockdown is not lockup. It depends on how effectively you use the time, staying healthy, practicing exercises, playing with your children, reading inspirational and motivational books, creating more art, whatever you do, be positive.
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BIOGRAPHY
Clara Aden is a multidisciplinary artist known for her mind-blowing pencil drawings. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, she studied painting at Federal Science Technical College Yaba. Her drawings and paintings have been celebrated internationally at Global Images of U.S Women, Pennsylvania in 2015 and recently at the Amref Artball 2019 and 2020, a premier African art auction and philanthropic event in New York. Aden is the winner of the Global Network Research Development (GNRD) Freedom of Expression 2015 art competition in Norway, the beneficiary of the 2018 International Artist Residency Award, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), and the 2020 Solidarity Fund for Artists and Cultural Organizations (SOFACO) Bamako, Mali. Recently, she exhibited her "Technological Glitch Series" with the theme, Art+Tech: Perception, Access, Power at the 19th Newark Arts Festival, Newark Museum of Art NJ. Aden is Vice President of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN). Her works over the past 10 years critically examine social, political, and cultural issues with a profound emphasis on gender identity. Presently, she is exploring the world of photography and digital art.
Artist Statement
The essence of the human experience and exploring the interplay between emotion, identity, and the world around us. Through my art, I aim to evoke a sense of introspection, connection, and contemplation.
Drawing serves as a fundamental element of my practice, enabling me to translate thoughts, observations, and emotions onto paper with immediacy and intimacy. I find solace in the act of mark-making, whether it's with graphite, charcoal, or ink, as it allows me to express the subtleties of human expression and the nuances of our inner worlds.
Painting, on the other hand, provides me with a broader range of possibilities to explore color, texture, and composition. I embrace a variety of techniques and materials, from acrylics to oils, to create layered and evocative surfaces. Experimentation with brushwork and impasto allows me to convey depth, movement, and atmosphere, further enhancing the emotional impact of my artwork.
In terms of subject matter, I am drawn to the human form and portraiture. I am fascinated by the unique stories and experiences each individual carries, and I strive to capture the depth of their emotions, the vulnerability of their expressions, and the intricate details that make them who they are. Through careful observation and a focus on capturing the essence of my subjects, I aim to evoke empathy and invite viewers to connect with the universal aspects of the human condition.
My artistic practice is a continuous exploration of the human experience, bridging the realms of introspection, emotion, and connection. It is a visual language through which I seek to express the complexities of being human and to create a space for reflection, dialogue, and shared understanding.