Kenya

^{MARIA ONYEGBULE}

^{Birmingham UK – Based Artist}

^{BA (Hons) Art & Design – University Of Central England (UCE)}

^{PGCE Post Grad in Education  - Wolverhampton University}

^{A Brief Statement about work and Ideas}

^{My new paintings take influences from my travels to North and West Africa. The processes explore different ways of working and incorporating techniques observed, photographed and documented during my travels.}

^{My translation of ideas, designs and imagery are used for paintings, textile art and 3D work.   I incorporate technical skills/working processes of a more contemporary art form.}

^{My new work is personal in some respect and rooted very deeply in my African heritage, I do not restrict my research/ideas to one part of Africa because I want to show the diversity within African culture.}

^{I am exploring my own self-identity through art, my father being West African and my mother Italian I feel I have a rich heritage and diverse background. This is my journey of discovery. I believe we are far more than individuals we are the vessels of all that has been and the possibility of all that will be.}

^{My work interprets form, texture, decoration, pattern design and colour within the environment.  I also focus on the simple everyday life and culture of the people and their surroundings. A simple market scene becomes a fusion of vibrant colour that breaths life and pattern. A young man in prayer creates stillness, harmonic balance and reflection.}

^{The colours I use evoke the feel of Africa and reflect my desire to remain close in heart to the land of my family origin and that of my ancestors. In Africa self- taught artists are neither strictly traditional, or western in style, rather there is a fusion of elements transcending time and place. I explore this concept in my work. The paintings are a testimony of my exploration. My painting style is neither completely abstract nor representational but a combination of both. But in short my work shows a cultural diversity, my cultural diversity and that of Africa.}

^{SOLO EXHIBITIONS – (future shows)}

^{COMFORTS OF HERITAGE – THE DRUM  - Birmingham}

^{2007   COMFORTS OF HERITAGE – THE OXFORD HOUSE GALLERY –London}

^{2007   COMFORTS OF HERITAGE Part 2 -THE WOODBRIDGE GALLERY -  Birmingham}

^{2008   IDENTITY - AFRICAN COLOURS  – Nairobi, Kenya}

^{GROUP EXHIBITIONS}

^{HIDDEN AGENDA - Former IKON GALLERY (John Bright Street Birmingham)}

^{2001   OPEN EXHIBITION - THE QUESTERS Theatre/Gallery - Ealing, London}

^{OPEN EXHIBITION – THE WORKS GALLERY – Birmingham}

^{2006   FAMILY  -  THE OXFORD HOUSE GALLERY – London}

^{2007  ‘ A TIME TO HEAL’     THE CENTRESPACE GALLERY – Bristol}

^{2008   WINTERSHOW         THE CUSTARD FACTORY GALLERY – Birmingham}

^{2008   WOMEN IN THE FRAME –  (Venues to be arranged)}

^RESIDENCIES

^{2008   AFRICAN COLOURS – Nairobi   Kenya}

^AWARDS

^{2006   The Arts Council England – West Midlands - Grants For The Arts – Research}

^{& Development of new body of work}

^{2007   The Arts Council England – West Midlands – Grants For The Arts – Professional & Artistic Development}

^COMMISSIONS

^{2006   Collide – Birmingham City Council}

^COLLECTIONS

^{Private Collections  - UK & Nigeria}

^{MARIA ONYEGBULE}

^{UK – Based}

^{BA (Hons) Art & Design – University Of Central England (UCE)}

^{PGCE Post Grad in Education  - Wolverhampton University}

^{Born in Birmingham, England in 1954, Maria Onyegbule began her art studies in 1970 at the Bournville School of Art. She then went on to study Fashion/costume and Textiles, but later resumed her studies of fine arts at the BIAD - University of Central England.}

^{Throughout her long career as an artist, Maria has worked with arts community based projects and taught a range of art subjects. Since graduating with Honours from The University of Central England in 1999, she has developed her working practises within a broader context such as: Paintings, Textiles and 3D.}

^{Maria draws her inspiration from many different sources: Travel, Literature, People and more personal issues. She documents her subject through photography and drawings. Her new body of work is inspired by her own cultural heritage, including her travels through Africa and the diverse African culture. Her use of colours are vibrant and exciting.}

^{Although Maria is now based in Birmingham, she previously lived abroad. Leaving the UK in 1975 to live in Nigeria for 2 years, she returned to England to live in London, Kent, and then again leaving England once more to live abroad, returning in 1990.}

^{Her experiences of Africa are not just as a traveller but also as a resident, living with the people and their culture as an African.}

^{Her own colourful diverse family heritage (African Father, Italian Mother) inspires her work and working practises.} 

^{Maria is a freelance artist working from her studio in Birmingham. She is also a Visiting Lecturer at the Walsall college of Art teaching Drawing, Painting and Printmaking.}

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