Lucy Azubuike
Da
Jungle Ambassado
Tree whisperer
Treeart curator
My Mission
Value Nature
My mission is to install Me in Me Treeart sanctuary in every Parks within and outside USA. What I want most is that connection — for people to see themselves in the trees. When one sees oneself in something, there is respect, appreciation and value.
I need to have students from different schools to visit. I believe that it is best to catch them young. Getting more people aware of the existence of what is in front of them in nature through tree art is paramount.
Extraordinary Experiences
Nature is a she, hence connection is paramount to her. She needs to be seen, touched and loved. She is everywhere yet she’s invisible. She cries “me too” too. Tree arts matter! Nature matter! It is urgent.
I AM A ‘TREE WISPERER’ A ‘JUNGLE AMBASSADOR’ who is on a mission to finding “agukataagbawahu” treearts.
One million is called ‘Agukata agba awahu’ in my Igbo language. This literally means a million but metaphorically means uncountable or unlimited. My current ‘lucyonamilliontreeart’ project targets to find tree art in as many countries as possible. People need to see art that is already available nature. Do we have to always create when nature has already provided numerous art? I have the ability to see these artistic forms thus have dedicated my life to making them known and appreciated. This project gears towards connecting the people to nature through tree art; research tree images in different part of the world and to expose the magic in the trees other than what viewers are comfortable with and or are used to. This mission also intends to extract stories from viewers through the trees; to share and receive culture through the trees; to teach viewers new ways to appreciate nature and protect her. ‘the Triangle: You Me Tree” is the motor and a driving force that enables me to inculcate a participatory human interaction in finding tree arts. Nature is you: find her and you’ll find yourself.
Core Values
Sensitive to mother nature: value, protect and preserve.
Imagine a universal sensibility where a tree represents a gallery. Works of art embedded in the trees offer joy, relaxation, knowledge, pride: excitement: show off your findings and relishing that you are an artist by merely identifying art in trees. One gains knowledge as they discover other perspective and perceptions from other explorers of tree art. This art takes one on a journey: reminiscence and nostalgic memories come through. Universal sensibility goes a long way. Every tree becomes a Chapel, a monument, a book, a television. Trees are symbols of unlimited possibility and abundance. If we can see tree as such, we are able to see unlimited possibilities in ourselves and know that we are capable of much more than is expected. In effect we understand that the next person; regardless of race, gender religion etc. is more than a preconceived notion of them. Hence ‘the Triangle: You Me Tree” the connection created by exploring the tree art one can say I found a masterpiece in my trees. One becomes emotionally connected to nature. Emotional connection leads to bonding, thus guard a protect guaranteed. For instance, a universal sensibility of tree art and its potential would have people weep in case of deforestation or ant tree disaster. Not because of the loss of woods but because of the loss of numerous tree art gone with the destruction. On the contrary, objectification of nature is a guaranteed emotional detachment from nature.
Art is not about what you see But what you make others see
… Edgar Degas
Azubuike approaches sculpture in a unique way – substance is typically added or removed to create sculptural works of art. She recognizes beautiful shapes and forms in nature as wholly complete works of art. Nature itself has created these works and they exist for us to enjoy, just as we enjoy art, which we see on display in museums and elsewhere. Azubuike strives to highlight the beauty of these forms and accentuate the similarities and connections that exist between them and us. In so doing, she reminds the viewer of the vitality and beauty of life forms we typically fail to recognize. Just as we fail to recognize the similarities and connections between ourselves and the world in which we live we also fail to recognize our dependence upon it.
Photography, painting, performance, installation, sculpture and video art are her means of expression. Appreciation and perception shift are perpetual notions in her art regardless of the medium. She find nature as a constant source of fascination with which she persuade viewers to see beyond the presented.
It is her desire to have people stop for a moment and pay attention to the environment and connect them to their personal life.
Curriculum vitae
Lucy Azubuike
seelucyazubuike@gmail.com
www.lucyazubuikeart.co
EDUCATION
2015 Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) MFA Sculpture, Atlanta, GA
2010 Abuja University. Diploma in Gender Studies Abuja, Nigeria
1999 University of Nigeria Nsukka bachelor’s in fine and Applied Art, Nigeria
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2018- Nature photography club coordinator. Frankfort KY
2018 “Nature Photography” workshop. Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, KY
2014 Teaching Internship in Photoshop craft class.
SCAD Atlanta, GA
2012-2014 Graduate Mentor. SCAD Atlanta, GA
2013 Teaching Internship. Public Art class. SCAD Atlanta, USA
2013 Visiting Artist. Doğa School, Istanbul, TURKEY
2013-2015 Visiting Artist. Pinecrest Academy, Cumming, GA.
2001-2010 Art Teacher. El- Amin International School, Abuja, NIGERIA
SKILLS
Photography, Adobe Photoshop, Public speaking, Casting and Modeling, Stone Carving, Painting, Installation, Video art, Video Editing Performance art
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Juror:
2021- The Franklin County Arts Council (FrankArts) Team. I am part of this group of arts. Professionals and arts organizations formed to foster the arts in Frankfort and Franklin County, Kentucky, through the development and implementation of a master plan for theArts Frankfort, KY
2021 Bridging Divides Funding Application Workshop. Build network of Black women artists – outreach, vision, growth, purpose. Provide support to the network – resources, professional development, collaboration, partnerships Frankfort, KY
2013 Inspire Life Art Contest- High School Students A Beacon of Hope-Parent OrganizationsClinic of Atlanta-Decatur, GA
2010 Foundations for Arts African Art competition. Lagos, NIGERIA
Book Published:
Excluded Nature’s Arts From The 58th Venice Biennale: Nature is You Find Her And You’ll Find Yourself Paperback – October 10, 2020
PUBLIC LECTURES PRESENTATIONS
2020- Me in Me Sanctuary Treeart hunt @Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, KY and Bernheim Research Forest, Shepherdsville, KY
2020 “Nature Photography.” Bernheim Research Forest, Shepherdsville 2019 “Nature Photography.” Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort,
2018 “Nature Photography.” Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, KY
2013 Keynote Speaker “Relating To Nature and the Environment through Photography.”International Symposium of Woman Photographers, Istanbul. TURKEY
2013 SCAD Lead Conference Keynote Presenter on the “Benefits of Mentorship.” Atlanta, GA
2012 In Conversation with Lucy Azubuike, Amarachi Okafor, and Victoria Udondian. Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK
2009 Panel Discussion “The Body and Sexuality in Contemporary African Ar.t” Center for Contemporary Arts, Lagos, NIGERIA
SOLO EXHIBITION
2018 “Nature Art.” Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, KY
2014 “Half The Story.” SCAD, Atlanta, GA
2013 “Dare Step On Step.” SCAD, Atlanta, GA
2010 “Modern Nigerian Art.” The International Art Expo At The Pier 94 On The Hudson River,
New York, NY
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITION
2022 (June 16 – September 24 Turning Tides) Foundation for a Just Society New York USA
2021 “The Invincible Hands” focusing on the artistic contribution of female Nigerian artists Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Lagos, Nigeria2020 Eight Perspectives. Billy Hertz Galeria Hertz Gallery Louisville, KY, USA 2015- “Video Collages.” FemLink, France. This is an ongoing touring Exhibition
2015 “Hopes and Impediments.” The Prince Claus Fund Gallery, AMSTERDAM
2013 “In The Name of Honor.” A Charity Exhibition/ Auction, London, UK
2013 “Torn to Grace” A three- woman Exhibition. Kuaba Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2013 “The World of Extraordinary Objects.” October Gallery, London, UK
2011 Contemporary Video Artwork from Africa. International Video Art Festival Acros Yorkshire, London, UK
2012 “We Face Forward: Art From West Africa Today.” Whitworth Art Gallery, Mancheste UK
2009 “Like A Virgin’ Lucy Azubuike and Zanele Muholi.” Center for Contemporary Arts, Lagos, NIGERIA
2008 “6 Stories/6 Hours/6 Artists.” Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
AFFILIATION
2014- present International Sculpture Center (ISC)
2013-2015 College Art Association (CAA)
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