Artist Interview: Jite Agbro
How did COVID-19 change, influence, or impact your work for this project?
I started working on the pieces before the Stay At Home order was in place. I finished all four pieces of art after the city had been closed for almost a month. The themes did not change, but the meaning for me morphed as I settled into the new reality. For months now, the studio has been the only place I spend time outside my home and the grocery store. The shrink in my routine impacted how I thought about things like community and empowerment. What does it mean when you have to get those needs met in drastically different ways than you're used to? It made sense for me to try to envision how the future might be different, how community and outreach might look different as this shift takes place. It made sense to take note of how our collective perception of certainty was being altered, maybe forever.
Image by James Harnois
What is inspiring you and your artistic practice at this moment?
I'm inspired by the individual experiences of people navigating this pandemic and the multitude of challenges regular folks are facing every day. I continue to find the human spirit remarkable. I'm inspired by the enormous changes occurring at the systemic and cultural levels in this country. I'm inspired by how other artists, young people, and activists are responding to these changes with resilience and enthusiasm.
The Springs
Jite Agbro, 2020
Paper, fabric, ink, beeswax, graphite, and thread
Out of the four themes key to the foundation’s work, is there a theme that resonates the most with you and your art?
Empowering Women and Girls resonates with me the most. It is an approachable problem because the need to contribute is strong among a vast number of people. Not everyone knows where to start, but there are areas where most people have the power to help. The most modest of actions can have rippling positive effects on individuals, communities, and systems.
To Whom the Future Belongs
Jite Agbro, 2020
Paper, fabric, ink, beeswax, graphite, and thread
What do you hope people experience in viewing your artwork?
I hope people feel connected to my work and the themes. I hope they find it relevant. I consider struggles that connect me to others. There is pride in being part of the continuing process to overcome injustice. I know I’m not the only one who spent too much time during my youth obsessing about keeping my hair straight. I'm not the only one who abandoned that meaningless effort.
Ideas
Jite Agbro, 2020
Paper, fabric, ink, beeswax, graphite, and thread
