Jewelry exhibition: Nioosha Vaezzadeh - Chidimma Omeke

In the "Idar-Oberstein Schmückt sich" exhibition series, the Jakob Bengel-Stiftung is showing two young jewelry pieces by recent Master of Fine Arts graduates Nioosha Vaezzadeh and Chidimma Omeke. In their graduation works at the Gemstone and Jewellery Campus in Idar-Oberstein, the two artists dealt intensively with finding identity.

Vaezzadeh's jewelry refers to the reality of life that she experienced as a woman in a male-dominated Islamic society. In her examination of the central texts of the Koran, she criticizes the subordinate role, insignificance and oppression of women through religious regulations and social norms. With her work, she gives these women a strong presence, a prerequisite for dialog and possible positive change.

Omeke explores the transformative effect of wearable art. Based on the presence of the mask as a cultural and symbolic artifact using the Adamma masquerade of Nsukka in southeastern Nigeria, he defines jewelry as an extension of the concept of the mask into personal space. His works invite us to free ourselves from external restrictions and find an individual, authentic identity.

Both artists share a constant search for their own identity, both within themselves and in society.

The IOSS exhibition cycle has always been characterized by the internationality and diversity of the exhibiting artists. Since last year, the Jakob Bengel Foundation has also placed a stronger focus on a mix of established artists and newcomers, especially graduates of the local university, whose works are shown at numerous renowned fairs and exhibitions in Germany and abroad, but have rarely been on display in Idar-Oberstein itself.

Nioosha Vaezzadeh - Chidimma Omeke opens on April 10 at 6:30 pm at Villa Bengel and can be visited until June 22.