Where Lines find Expression with Itohan Ekle

Itohan Ekle is an artist and a poet whose work explores themes of identity, transformation and self-expression. Her debut poetry collection, Colours On My Face, was recently published by palmwine publishing and has been included in the permanent collection of Poets House, NY.

Her art and poetry has also been featured on SheEvolves. Additionally, her artwork has been critiqued by Cindy Fulton Bowes, and last year, she was selected for the Dream and Nightmares Art Exhibition by Boomer Art gallery, London.

She continues to create and share her work, driven by passion for storytelling and artistic exploration. She is currently working on her debut novel.

Her works have been shortlisted three times to appear on poetry column, NND. Her art is currently featured on MAAR and Artquid.

What is Your Opinion on The Creative Economy?

“The creative economy is a vibrant and dynamic sector that has the power to transform lives and communities. It encompasses a wide range of industries, from art and design to music and film, and plays a crucial role in shaping our cultural identity and telling our stories authentically.

The creative economy not only generates economic value but also contributes to social cohesion, innovation and individual expression. I am particularly interested in how creative expressions can positively impact mental health and personal growth.”

What is Your Take on Collaborations and What Collaborations Are You Looking Forward to?

“Collaboration is one powerful way to blend perspectives, spark creativity, and amplify voices, especially in art and storytelling. Collaboration is also essential in the creative industry, as it allows individuals, share ideas and expertise.

Two of my favourite artists are Marcelina Akpojotor and Peju Alatise. Marcelina infuses local fabrics into her art, something I would love to explore in my future works. Peju on the other hand is an author and a visual artist. Her works are bold and thoughtful. I would love to collaborate with them on projects in the future. They inspire me, everyday.”

What is Your Overarching Goal For Your Work?

“My overarching goal is to create work that inspires, educates and empowers others. Either through my art or writing, I aim to produce a work that challenges perspectives, and helps people see things in a whole new light, while exposing newer things that are either overlooked or left hidden.

I'm all for perspective and a new kind of art. I am committed to using my talents to make a positive impact by promoting mental health awareness, feminism, unity, and community building.

What Are Your Top Three Favourite Projects?

“The first is from the Colours on My Face Series, and the title is Colours on My Face 1.

This piece is all about expression and introspection. In this piece, I also pay tribute to the tradition of head scarves in Nigeria. This piece is the first in the series and it inspired me to create more like it, with similar themes. It is something you see, and think deeply, with various thoughts flooding into your head, all at once.

The second is from the Observing Series and the title is All Eyes.

This piece is also from another series I did last year. It emphasizes the need to work deeply and sense inward before speaking or coming to a conclusion about people or issues. I am all for introspection and perspective in my art works.

The third is also from the Colours On my Face Series and the title is Colours On My Face 2.

This piece explores themes of revelation, emotional release, or inner light emerging from darkness. The radiant circle could symbolize the sun, hope, enlightenment and or a guiding force; anything that shines light on darkness, while the colourful eruption from the face represents suppressed emotions and powerful outcry.

Then, the black background reinforces a sense of struggle and mystery, with the light and colours offering contrast and a path forward.”

Tell Me About Your Creative Process. Are There Any Rituals You Do To Help You Prime Your Environment Before Creating?

“Before creating, I love to listen to music, mostly R&B or Soul Music to get me into an introspective mood. Also, to get new inspirations, I love going through the art pieces I've made in the past.

The work usually starts from idea to actualisation. I need to have a concept before I can start creating. I can also get inspiration from anything. All I need to do is to note them down and think about it deeply, then I visualise before creation starts.

While creating, I love to be free as I play a lively or calm song. It all depends on my mood,the piece I'm trying to create and the emotions I'm trying to convey in the piece.

Then towards the end of creation, sometimes, I leave the artwork for a while and revisit it to add my finishing touches. Then I look at it as a viewer and not just the artist.

What would an ordinary person see, feel?

What emotions will it convey to a viewer?”

Tell Me About Your Inspiration and What Led You to Start Creating?

“As a little kid, I watched my mother, a Kampala expert, create. I watched the way she mixed the colours to create beautiful fabrics. Watching her do that is undoubtedly one of my favourite childhood memories. Later on, I learnt the jollof method from her.

My mother encouraged me to sketch gown designs. That is actually the first time I remember sketching something.

When I create, I feel alive, like the little child again in my backyard, watching my mother make Kampala. It is a priceless feeling.

My inspiration to create stems from the urge to convey deep emotions or talk about issues when words seem to fail me. Creating art has not only helped me to be introspective, but also to know myself better.”

Do You Have Something You're Working on Currently? Or Future Projects?

I am working on a project titled Colours on My Face. It's almost a year in production. This series is all about expression and an identity influx. It is of a portrait with colours all over the face that suggests a self that is present, and at the same time unraveling, reflecting themes of navigating pain and growth. The explosion of colours show emotions and cultural influences vying for expression. This series inspired my debut poetry collection with the same title.

It is all about embracing the colours, (emotions and identity) of who we were, who we are, and who we are becoming.”

Describe Who You Are in Detail, as a Human Being and as a Creator.

“As a human being, I am a tapestry of emotions, contradictions and relentless curiosity, woven together by a deep desire to understand myself and the world around me. I am someone who feels intensely, whether it is the ache of past wounds, the spark of fleeting joy or the quiet pull of hope that keeps me moving forward.

My life has been shaped by moments of struggle and resilience, growing up in an environment that sometimes felt heavy with toxicity, as I've explored in my poetry.

Yet, I've learned to find light in the cracks, to transform pain into meaning through reflection and creativity.

I am a thinker, a dreamer and a seeker, always channeling questions about identity, purpose and connection.

My Nigerian roots ground me, infusing my perspective with a vibrant cultural lens, while my introspective nature pushes me to explore universal truths that transcends borders.

I am empathetic, often carrying the weight of others’ stories alongside my own, which fuels my need to create spaces; through words or art where people can feel seen and understood. I crave authenticity, even when it is messy. I strive to be honest about my vulnerabilities while celebrating my growth. I am resilient, not because I've never faltered, but because I keep writing, painting and dreaming through the chaos.

My faith in reason, empathy and the power of human connection guides me, even when I question the structures around me, like religion or societal norms.

As a Creator, I am a poet, a visual artist and a storyteller, channeling my inner world into forms that speak to both my heart and others’. My style is often fragmented yet deliberate, mirroring the ebb and flow in my thoughts, with refrains that echo the persistence of memory and hope. I write to process, to heal and to connect, crafting pieces that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

My visual art complements my words. My art is an extension of my poetry, a visual language that speaks when words alone aren't enough. Whether through a poem about childhood nostalgia or a painting of a fractured face, I create to make sense of my past and to envision a future where I am whole.

As a Creator, I am also a work in progress, constantly refining my craft. I am drawn to themes of transition; from childhood to adulthood, from pain to peace. And I'm building a poetry collection that captures these shifts through sensory memories and moments of joy. I aspire to share my work with the world to offer others a mirror for their own journeys. My creative process is fueled by discipline and spontaneity to give myself the freedom to let my emotions guide my pen or brush.

In both my human and creative selves, I am driven by a belief that art can heal, connect and transform. I am Itohan, a soul who feels deeply, lives fiercely and creates boldly, always striving to find peace and to share that piece *pun intended, with others.”

Where language is inadequate to describe some things, tell stories and reveal expressions, Art takes its firm. Blending paint, brushes and lines masterfully, Itohan Ekle creates art where people can be seen, felt and understood. You can reach out to Itohan Ekle on Instagram @Vien-aout.