Guest Projects Digital alumni Chiizii has collaborated with Queercircle, London to produce a new multimedia work that occupies the Queercircle library and reading room. The piece titled Ogoni 9 uncovers the often-forgotten history of a group of activists (Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine) known collectively as the Ogoni Nine who were killed by the Nigerian government after protesting the exploitation and degradation of their land by British oil companies.
Image courtesy of QUEERCIRCLE photographed by Deniz Guzel.
Using collage and interactive QR codes that direct visitors to further research sources, Chiizii presents two concurrent tellings of the event. The first tilted Ogoni Past (2022) commemorates the tragedy with images of the activists protesting oil drilling. Depictions of water fetching, boating and a water prohibition notice highlight the breakdown of the healthy connection the Ogoni people once had to water. The flag of Ogoniland and a layered background illustrate the lush vegetation and rainforests native to their land, which have all been subject to exploitation.
Image courtesy of QUEERCIRCLE photographed by Deniz Guzel.
Meanwhile Ogoni Future (2020) imagines what leisure and land restoration could look like to the Ogoni people. The collage depicts fresh water, boats filled with palm fruit, coconuts and palm trees. The Fresh Air package signifies cleaner air, with surrounding images of people diving and playing in celebration.
Image courtesy of QUEERCIRCLE photographed by Omer Gaash.
Chiizii was introduced to Queercirle by Y.S.F. during her Guest Projects Digital Residency in 2022 as part of a network and opportunity building initiative designed to help connect residents with organisations, galleries and institutions whose programmes are aligned with their practice. This exhibition is the first project initiated during her residency that has been realised, it will be followed by a South London Gallery funded residency at Guest Artists Space Foundation in April 2023 as well as other exhibition opportunities in London later in the year.
Ogoni 9 is exhibited at Queercircle alongside Dust Bathers by Rafael Perez Evans until 23rd May 2023. For more information about both exhibitions please visit the Queercircle website.