IFE NKILI is a multimedia digital arts festival and a celebration of the beauty of Black culture, identity, and heritage through the creativity of Black Women. Curated by Chin We, a British-Nigerian award-winning visual artist, IFE NKILI is a ground-breaking festival funded and supported by the Arts Council England.

Chin We has selected 17 Black women creatives from around the world in this immersive digital festival showcasing artistic and creative expression; including world renowned poet Yrsa Daley-Ward, author Elizabeth Okoh and photographer Wasi Daniju.

Taking place on the 14th of October, the festival aims to deconstruct the societal limitations and perceptions of Black Women in art, photography,music, film and literature and will be presented in the form of an ongoing continuous performance as each artist follows on seamlessly from each other.  The event will honour these Black Women artists in a way that has rarely been seen in the digital landscape.

By hosting IFE NKILI during UK Black History Month Chin We is intentional about highlighting the work of Black Women artists and uplifting their voices in a world that often erases them. Reminding us all of how Black Women and the art they create is for the community, society and the world at large.  In Chin We’s words “I adore the human experience – we are all that we have.”

Book your tickets here

About Chin We

Chin We is an award-winning visual artist and curator. Her work explores themes and issues of social/cultural identity, culture, representation, heritage and the African diaspora through photography, film and mixed media. Chin We is a curator at www.chinweart.com a platform and an exciting space dedicated to celebrating Black Women creatives positively/enthusiastically. She is also the founder and creative director of IFE NKILI, an annual Black women’s arts festival.

Featured Artists:

Elsie Kibue

Kigare Elsie is a photographer, and her photography focuses primarily on portraiture, documentary, sports and events.

Elizabeth Okoh

Elizabeth is a storyteller using the mediums of photography and prose to empower women and the Black community. She is interested in portraiture, boudoir, and conceptual photography which she uses to tell stories and share various narratives.

Iko-Ojo Mercy Haruna

Mercy is a portrait and documentary photographer dedicated to capturing the fleeting moments of family life. She focuses on stories that capture the beauty of the everyday as well as those that dive deeper into conversations about the realities of motherhood.

Wasi Daniju

Wasi is a documentary photographer. Her work ranges through portraiture, theatre, and live performance. She focuses not so much on the genre, but on connecting with and communicating stories, whether real world or otherwise. Ultimately for her, photography is an act of bearing witness.

All 17 artists:

1. Chin We
2. Hannah Ledwidge
3. Adaeze Ihebom
4. Sandra Harper
5. Mario W Ihieme
6. Rahh
7. Wamaitha Ng’ang’a
8. Yrsa Daley-Ward
9. Theodorah Ndlovu
10. Iko-Ojo Mercy
11. PolePassionldn
12. Elsie Kibue-Ngare
13. Nyasha Daley
14. Empress Adeola
15. Elizabeth Okoh
16. Amber Akaunu
17. Wasi Daniju

All Images: courtesy of ChinWeArt / Ariatu Public Relations