The African Creatives Spotlight features artists who refuse to plateau. Nnenna Okore is one of them. After decades of creating work exhibited internationally and collected by institutions like the World Bank and Newark Museum, she still sees room to grow. “The sky is never the limit,” she says. “There’s always more beyond the skies.”
Born in Australia and raised in Nigeria, Nnenna now teaches at North Park University in Chicago while creating across three continents. Her practice is defined by movement—both literal and creative. She doesn’t work in one studio or one country. Instead, her process is shaped by the materials she finds in each place and the communities she works with.
What makes her work distinctive is how it’s made. Nnenna transforms discarded materials—burlap, cheesecloth, rope, food scraps—into richly textured sculptures through repetitive, labor-intensive processes she learned by watching Nigerian women perform daily domestic tasks. As a result, her work produces visceral forms that resemble roots, veins, and organic structures in states of transformation and decay. Institutions like the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Museu Afro Brasil in São Paulo, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Chengdu Biennale in China have exhibited her sculptures.
This conversation is part of the African Creatives Spotlight, a series highlighting African creatives through short interviews that tell their stories, share their perspectives, and amplify their voices. As the year begins, the focus is on where creatives are right now—how they’re reflecting on the past year, approaching the year ahead, and what insights they have for the creative community. Nnenna’s answers are grounded in a philosophy of relentless growth, intentional rest, and forward motion.
African Creatives Spotlight: Introduce yourself. Your name, what you create, and where you’re based.
My name is Nnenna Okore. I am an educator and artist who creates large-scale fiber works, sculptures, and installations derived from found and plant-based materials. I am based in the United States, though I work across different locations in Nigeria, Australia, and the United States.
Describe this current season of your creative journey in one sentence.
This season is shaping up to be a promising one for many upcoming projects.
What did the past year teach you about yourself or your brand?
I’ve learned that there’s always room for improvement and further development of craft. The sky is never the limit; there’s always more beyond the skies, so keep pushing.
What are you being more intentional about right now, creatively or in business?
I am being more intentional about making time for myself, so I don’t burn out. Ensuring I find time to relax, reflect, and spend time with loved ones.
What are you letting go of so you can aim higher and create better this year?
Sometimes life gets so busy, and for someone like me who finds it difficult to say no to opportunities or invitations, I think I am letting go of some smaller undertakings to focus my energy on finishing one or two projects strongly.
What bold reminder or insight would you give creatives to push boundaries and dream bigger this year?
I would encourage young and upcoming creatives not to shy away from breaking out of the mold. Try new things to set yourself apart from others. Make space for failures, and see them as teachable moments, not as sources of discouragement.
After all, Nnenna’s practice is built on this. She learned her methods by watching local Nigerians perform daily tasks. She turned food scraps into bioplastic art forms. Meanwhile, she transformed burlap and rope into monumental sculptures. None of that happens without risk.
Describe your mindset for this year in one word or short phrase.
Always forward and onward, never backward.
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This is what the African Creatives Spotlight is about—real conversations with creatives who are building momentum. Nnenna Okore isn’t just creating work; she’s redefining how she approaches her practice. She’s protecting her time, focusing her energy on what matters, and refusing to let perceived limits stop her.
However, if you’re a creative feeling stretched thin or wondering if you’ve reached your ceiling, Nnenna’s reminder is this: there’s always more beyond the skies. Don’t be afraid to let go of what’s keeping you from finishing strong.
All images courtesy of Nnenna Okore.
Follow Nnenna Okore’s work: Website: nnennaokore.com
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