Nissi Ogulu, the younger sister of Burna Boy, has just made available a collection of artworks under the label “puzzled.”
Nissi Ogulu, Burna Boy’s younger sister, talks about her new art collection: Nissi Ogulu is not just the younger sister of Burna Boy, but she is also a singer, graphic artist, animator, and engineer. She was born in Nigeria. Each component was designed to resemble a different piece of a puzzle and given psychedelic hues of red and blue.
First seen in London, the collection is currently on display at the Red Door Gallery on Victoria Island in Lagos. She provides her responses to the following questions regarding her collection:
When did you start painting?
“Perhaps when I was three years old. I remember drawing Spiderman comics and cartoons. Drawing is a talent that I feel I should share with the world.
“I took some classes in art when I was in the university but I dropped them because they were more focused on the academic part and I wanted to paint.”
What is the intersection between your art and music?
Nissi views her artistic practice as an extension of her musical career. “You can feel the music in my art.” she has said. She says while pointing to a painting that contains a guitar, a violin, and piano keys, “I call that piece Harmony.”
How does it feel to come from such a talented family and how does it affect you?
“My parents are some of the most liberal people you can find. They were always about excellence, it doesn’t matter what you do, you just had to be the best at it. You could be a wheelbarrow pusher, just make sure you are good at it.”
How long did this collection take?
“It took me a few months to complete, each piece stands on its own with it’s own meaning.”
Why is there rice in all your paintings?
Rice can be found in each and every one of Nissi’s works of art, but because it blends in so well, it is easy to overlook it.
“In Africa, one meal we eat a lot of is rice. It symbolises community. I want my art to feed.”
nissi ogulu, ogulu, burna boy sister
