Female Nigerian creatives tapping into Spirits & Identities to tell stories: Naomi Rukevwe & Alexander Obi

Creativity in its truest sense is the embodiment of one’s concepts and ideology that usually takes shape in various forms — spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically. It could be seen as the best artistic expression of humanity’s essence.

In Nigeria, just like most parts of the world, creatives draw inspiration from vibrant uplifting elements, or from the sense of self. People’s identities take shape in several creative art forms while drawing energies from the quintessence of self. Although the creative industry is traditionally male-dominated, and for centuries, the depiction and roles of women in art were determined by men, several boundary-breaking female creatives are seeking to redress this imbalance, using their various art forms to tell stories by channelling inspiration from their substance of being.

Just like most female creatives, Nigerian women have found multiple ways to tap into their senses of femininity and identity to curate vivid and vibrant expressions. These two female Nigerian creatives currently consciously or subconsciously put their essence into their clinical practices. While these essences go beyond gender, race or class; it explores notions of identity, queerness, nationality, and sexuality. I had lengthy conversations with these talented Nigerian creatives who through embodying their identities or essences of certain elements, explores various forms of creativity.

Naomi Rukevwe

Naomi Diejenvo Rukevwe is a 23-year-old make-up and beauty mogul currently in Edo, Nigeria, whose artistic characteristic expressions are made with vibrant colours and vivid tones. She draws energy from several bold and intense palettes in her clinical practice. The technicality and intentionality of her artistry are visible, regardless of the several layers of concealers.

Recently, she collaborated with 12 amazing makeup artists from different parts of the world to create twelve amazing looks to represent the twelve Greek Olympian gods. She incorporated a very carnival and spirit-themed look to represent Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, who was also identified in Roman mythology as the goddess Minerva. In an all-in exclusive with Moda Culture Magazine, she explained how she has always been enthusiastic and curious about colours, illustrations, illusions and cosplay.

“Despite officially starting professionally four years ago, I grew up taking make-up/ beauty as my personal artistry where I did creative make-up effects, illusions, and cosplay whenever and wherever,”
Naomi Rukevwe for Moda Culture Magazine, July – Sept. 2021 Issue

Alexandra Obi

Alexandra Obi is the 22-year-old creative director of curatedbyxandra, located in Abuja, Nigeria, who as a ‘photograpHER’ and make-up artist, taps into her identity and sense of self as an openly queer, plus-size Nigerian female, and channels this essence to tell her stories. Her heterodox dynamics and nonconformity fuel her creativity while giving her own kind of art, shape. She plays with vibrant colours and positive energies in her creative content. She invigorates her visuals, blogging, make-up, fashion and lifestyle, with the ethos of her positive tones, moods and attitudes. In an interview with the Moda Culture Magazine, she calls herself a creative at heart.

On the 9th of July 2021, she took to her Instagram and shared a picture where she incorporated 7 vibrant colours into a look that had the internet gawking. She played with these colours in an ensemble that constituted makeup, hairstyle, nail polish and fit. She channelled her identity as a queer individual to curate this look, and in her caption, she explained how this is a part of who she is, and how she isn’t ready to give that up or hideaway.

I try not to let my identity limit me. Though I’ve lost opportunities, jobs and even friends, because of my visible queerness, I try not to let that take a toll on me. If it’s for me, it’ll come to me,”
Alexandra Obi, for Moda Culture Magazine July – Sept. 2021