Usen Obot, The Guardia, 2023

The Mkpese Series
Wood, Acrylic, Metal, relief sculpture and painting, 1.3m by 90cm by 4cm

Usen Obot, born in 1973 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and currently resides and works in Johannesburg South Africa. Usen holds a degree in Art and Design, Fine and Applied Arts. His work aims to awaken inner consciousness to influence society, evolving from traditional two-dimensional media to experimenting with diverse materials like wood, fabric, metal, and biodegradable substances. The recent Mkpese series reimagines ancient African ‘Ekpo’ practices, highlighting the importance of family unity, social cohesion, and African spirituality in maintaining social order. The artist’s use of varied materials symbolizes the unification of diverse people to create a cohesive society.