Venetia Ejembi

Baptism of Orisha (Orisha meaning divine spirit) is an evocative textile collection that aims to encapsulate the essence of water as if touched by the divine presences of Oshun and Yemaya, central Orishas in Yoruba creationism. By delving into my family heritage, I sought memories of beauty and serenity intertwined with aqueous landscapes. My work engages in a dialogue between craft and innovation, embracing the tactile intimacy of handcrafts such as soldering and wire knitting. Sustainability is a key focus; I have reclaimed solder from electrical circuit boards and copper wire from cables for this project. Although these materials are used minimally, my aspiration is to work exclusively with recycled materials. I am particularly interested in fusing metals into knitwear and exploring set design. My commitment lies in preserving craft and celebrating artisanship, with a strong inclination towards conceptual art and contemporary textiles.