African Women's Art

• Professor Herbert M. Cole on the relationship between Mbari clay houses and nature

  Professor Herbert M. Cole (Professor Emeritus) taught the history of African Art and Architecture at the University of California Santa Barbara between 1968-2003. Professor Cole co-authored the seminal book "Igbo Arts: Community and Cosmos" with Chike Aniakor. He is author, co-author, or editor of twelve books and more than 60 articles, essays or chapters. Professor Cole turned 89 in 2024, we had a fascinating conversation about the deep relationship between Mbari and the rest of nature. Mbari are temporary large scale clay buildings filled with large clay figures made in the Owerri region of Igboland in Nigeria. They are communally made and created as an offering often to honour the Earth Goddess, Ala. We explore their role as offerings to nature deities, the use of termite clay, the use of colour, recurring symbols and body art. As well as the humour and play embedded within the artform. We talk about three of Professor Cole’s books; - Mbari: Art and Life Among the Owerri Igbo, 1982 - Igbo Arts Community And Cosmos, co-authored with Chike Aniakor, 1984 - Igbo: Visions of Africa series by Five Continents, 2013 Check out the images we discussed here; PDF with images The link will also be on my instagram @gracebrowne African Women's Art Podcast is hosted, produced and edited by Grace Browne.

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• Beulah Ezeugo on memory work and creating a community archive

  I am delighted to share this inspiring conversation I had with Beulah Ezeugo. Beulah is a researcher and curator. Her practice engages with postcolonial geographies, archives and memory, and expands outwards through exhibition-making, programming, and publication. Recent engagements and awards include SIRIUS Critic-in-Residence (2024), 11:11 x iniva Stuart Hall Library Residency (2024), and Platform Commissions, 41st EVA International, selected by Iarlaith NI Fheorais and Roy Claire Potter (2025). Beulah is currently a research associate at CCA Derry~Londonderry, and one-half of the collective Éireann & I Archive, a migrant memory project.  In our conversation we explored the complexities and possibilities of creating a community archive. Beulah shared thoughtful insights on what it means to be an empathetic witness and custodian. We also explore the importance of play, building trust and the patience that’s needed to sit with gaps in histories. Hope you enjoy the conversation and you can find out more about Beulah's work; Beulah’s website: https://bio.site/beulahezeugo Éireann & I:  https://eireannandiarchive.com/

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• Movement, freedom and creating space with Dorine Mugisha

  It was such a pleasure to chat with Dorine Mugisha. Dorine is an international performer, instructor, retreat leader and project manager. We talked about making space for play and self expression, her journey so far including her beginnings in law & Sociology, her solo piece Asili and creating her retreat in Tanzania. Dorine also shared how her love for the dance style Whacking began and it’s freedom of expression. Find out more about Dorine and her work at; www.bodymovement.me  Instagram: @dorine_mugisha  Instagram: @whackingscotland

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• Earth based alchemy with Banji Chona

  I’m delighted to share this inspiring conversation I had with Banji Chona. Banji is an artist, researcher, curator and scholar of Zambezian earth.  When I think of Banji’s work, I think of care in all of it’s definitions. The attention and thought she uses in bringing together ancestral baTonga knowledge with experimental contemporary techniques. Her deep consideration when working in community and the love that roots her methodology of Radical Zambezian Reimaginings. It is a portal that leads to the creation of alternative perspectives that challenge and repair pre-existing asymmetries in history, wounds that have informed the present.  In our conversation we explore all this as well as earth based alchemy and the interconnections between our ancestral practices, the earth and the present day.  Find out more about Banji Website; https://www.banjichona.space/ Instagram; @banjichona

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• The circle of dance is a permissive circle with Femi Bajulaye

  I had a brilliant chat with Femi Bajulaye about the importance of women in Yoruba arts and cultural creation.  Femi is a Yoruba Artist whose artistic practice, writing and film production focus on issues of migration, African identity and the spirituality of Yoruba cosmology. In this conversation we talk about the importance of women in Yoruba arts and cultural creation.  We discuss the book Painting for the Gods by Bolaji Campbell which explores the language of Orisa paintings. As well as Mojo Okediji’s work with Akire artists.  We explore the importance of being with the unknown, the significance of earth colours and Oju Ona, Yoruba concept of design consciousness. We also talk about Femi’s upcoming short film "Ekun Omi: Tears of Desert Water"  Check out Femi’s youtube channel Bàjúláyé for more insight into Yoruba cosmology and aesthetics; https://www.youtube.com/@Bajulaye888 And Instagram; @bbbajulaye

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