Nigerian ceramist Ngozi-Omeje Ezema has become the first African artist to stage a solo exhibition in the rotunda of Munich’s Pinakothek der Moderne. Her show, “Boundless Vases,” running through May 11, 2025, challenges conventional perceptions of ceramics, elevating the medium far beyond its utilitarian roots.
Ezema, an Nsukka-based artist and lecturer at the University of Nigeria, transforms terracotta into ethereal installations that appear to defy gravity. Using transparent nylon threads, she suspends ceramic fragments to form sculptures resembling animals, vessels, and abstract forms, each carrying metaphorical weight. Her work draws from personal experiences, exploring themes of identity, family, and the female body, while incorporating natural materials and found objects inspired by her surroundings.
“This exhibition is a bold statement,” said curator Andrea Kasiske. “Ngozi’s installations invite viewers to rethink African ceramics—not as mere pots, but as dynamic, contemporary art.” Ezema herself reflects on her process: “The string gives life to my works, depicting life on balance, reassessing its frailty.”
Ezema’s journey to Munich is paved with accolades. She won the High Excellence Award at the 2019 Cheongju International Craft Biennale in South Korea and the Outstanding Concept Award at Nigeria’s National Art Competition in 2015. Her previous exhibitions, including Connecting Deep at Lagos’ Centre for Contemporary Art in 2018, have cemented her reputation as a trailblazer among a new generation of Nigerian artists.
At Pinakothek der Moderne, located in Munich’s vibrant Kunstareal, Boundless Vases showcases Ezema’s signature style—delicate yet powerful installations that engage viewers’ perceptions and emotions. Works like Vase #1 (2021) and Eavesdropper (2020) demonstrate her ability to weave narrative and form into thought-provoking art.
As Munich, home to 1.4 million and cultural landmarks like Oktoberfest, embraces Ezema’s vision, her exhibition marks a pivotal moment for African representation in global art spaces. Boundless Vases is not just an exhibition—it’s a redefinition of what African art can be.
•Featured image: DW screen grab
