AdaObinna Moore

AdaObinna Moore is an artist born in Columbus, Ohio whose passion for art started at a young age. AdaObinna's work reflects cultural concepts that she can relate to and have knowledge of. Her interest in the African culture stems from her father being a native of Nigeria. As someone who identifies as Nigerian American, one of AdaObinna's many goals is to illuminate different perspectives about the African culture and experience. Her continuous discoveries fuel her passion to create and aid her in visually expressing herself as she explores her identity. AdaObinna graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016, obtaining her BA in Art with a focus on studio practice in different mediums. In March 2016, AdaObinna was awarded the Mariam Makeba Distinction Award from the African Youth League at The Ohio State University. In December 2016, AdaObinna also received an Award of Distinction from the COMPAS Art Contest. In 2017, she participated in a Live Auction event with the Columbus International Program where profits went to programs that assisted immigrants in Columbus, OH. In March 2019 and 2020, AdaObinna displayed works in an Art Exhibit Honoring Women's History Month at the Franklin County Coroner's Office that was hosted by Dr. Anahi Ortiz. In 2020, AdaObinna was involved with the HeART of Protest with the King Arts Complex and completed a mural piece along with two other artists located on the King Arts Complex building. In 2021, AdaObinna worked with the Walt Neil Mural League and painted the mural prism during Franklin Park Conservatory’s Community Art Day which was displayed on the front lawn of the park. In 2023, AdaObinna was able to host her first solo exhibition at Streetlight Guild in Columbus, OH. Throughout the years AdaObinna has participated in multiple events, such as creative mixes, art shows, and events. She also volunteered and displayed at the King Arts Complex for All Arts Day in honor of Aminah Robinson.

The best way to describe my current artistic practice is “self-discovery” and “self-proclaiming”. My art, is a firm stance of claiming my identity and paying tribute to my ancestors; to those who came before me. By presenting my works, I hope to disseminate not just positive affirmation but also the process of this journey. My practice is forever changing through the discovery of attributes that mold me into who I am today. Self-discovery involves the commitment to learn and expand that knowledge as a visual interpreter with some influences of personal thoughts and emotions.

My goal is to create unyielding confidence when it comes to self-proclamation. Not only the process involves embracing who we and where we come from but it also embraces and welcomes the individuals that we are becoming. I hope that my art inspires others to continue to seek validation and assurance in our diverse backgrounds thus creating pride, love and strength for what our people has endured. Being taught and exposed to images of our likeness will impact our character development in a positive which is why I continue to make images in our likeness. Having the privilege to learn from different sources of knowledge assisted me to create a safe place that had allowed me to absorb and grow as an artist of color. Self-proclaiming is taking a stance and standing firmly in the understanding of who we are and what we can become.

My images of fluid figures are reminiscent of old traditional African Art. The contemporary aesthetics gives my pieces a sense of movement and rhythm while at the same time being identifiable to people of our community. My goal as an artist, is to provide an image that wasn’t as accessible to me when I was younger. I want to be able to create images of our likeness in a positive light not only for older and younger generation but also for generations to come so that they can learn, embrace, and create.

Ohio

United States