Not Alone as Such by Diana Ohiozebau
SITE #4:
Stanley A. Milner EPL
Diana Ohiozebau
Not Alone as Such
VENUE ADDRESS: 7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2V5
Monday: 9am - 9pm
Tuesday: 9am - 9pm
Wednesday: 9am - 9pm
Thursday: 9am - 9pm
Friday: 9am - 9pm
Saturday: 9pm - 6pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm
**Closed on Canada Day
Diana Ohiozebau, Seasons.
In Not Alone As Such, mixed-media works explore our shared humanity through themes of resilience, identity, and collective strength. Each piece invites viewers to engage closely with shifting shadows, rich textures, and layered materials from multiple perspectives. Through this exhibition, Ohiozebau hopes that viewers will find elements they can relate to and that they are reminded that even in life’s most difficult moments, we are never truly alone.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Through my studio practice, I am committed to fostering opportunities for engagement with African art, the collective spirit of Black identity, and resilience. ”
My work explores culture, resilience, and identity. Grounded in my African heritage, I draw on the visual language of African masks and sculpture to tell stories of strength, unity, and community. With patterns inspired by African motif, textured fabrics, yarn, and acrylic pigments, I create two-dimensional relief sculpture, textile, and painting. I work with Aso-oke fabrics—a traditional handwoven textile of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria, known for its rich texture, bold patterns, and durability—African prints (Dutch wax textiles), natural and synthetic fibres, yarn, and acrylic paint. Using these materials together, my artwork blurs the boundary between painting, textile, and sculpture while reflecting on layered histories and shared human experiences.
Inspired by artists such as El Anatsui, Sheila Hicks, and Aiko Tezuka, I embrace these large forms, rich textures, and vibrant colours to craft immersive experiences that invite engagement. I encourage viewers to encounter movement, depth, and the layered complexity within each piece.
Through my studio practice, I am committed to fostering opportunities for engagement with African art, the collective spirit of Black identity, and resilience. Using visual symbolism, I invite curiosity, challenge perceptions, and encourage meaningful dialogue that bridges heritage and contemporary narratives.
WORKSHOP
DATE: TBD
Join Diana Ohiozebau for a creative workshop inspired by the exhibition Not Alone As Such. This interactive workshop invites participants to engage closely with selected fragments from the exhibited artworks. Drawing from themes of identity, collective presence, African mask traditions, and sculptural forms, participants will transfer and paint a small section of an artwork onto canvas, to create their own interpretation through colour, texture, and line. Through the process of focusing on a single fragment, participants are encouraged to reflect on how individual parts contribute to a larger whole.
This event is suitable for all ages. No prior painting experience is required.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Diana Ohiozebau is a mixed-media artist born in Leeds, England, and raised in Nigeria. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada, where she maintains an active studio practice and engages with the community through her work. Deeply influenced by her African heritage, her practice explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and personal narrative through a dynamic interplay of material and form.
She has exhibited in Nigeria, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Toronto, and has also given artist talks offering insight into her process and conceptual approach. Her achievements include a permanent mural in the collection of NorQuest College, an exhibition review in Preview Magazine, and interviews on CBC and CKUA radio. She has received grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and the Edmonton Arts Council. Her practice continues to gain recognition for its material innovation and cultural resonance.
Ohiozebau holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria, a Master of Fine
Arts (MFA) from the University of Calgary, and both a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and a Master of Arts (MA) from the University of Alberta. Her multidisciplinary academic background informs her evolving practice as she continues to experiment with mixed-media textiles to expand her visual language and push the boundaries of contemporary art.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accessmystudio/
Website: https://linktr.ee/accessmystudio