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In this episode of Art and Processes, host Emeka Okereke sits down with renowned Cuban contemporary artist Alexandre Arrechea. Born in Trinidad de Cuba—a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in colonial history—Arrechea’s work explores themes of power, surveillance, architecture, and public engagement. From his early days painting trucks for his uncle to co-founding the influential collective Los Carpinteros, and later forging a distinguished solo career, Arrechea’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of art.

The conversation spans his upbringing in Cuba, the robust educational system that shaped his worldview, and how his multidisciplinary practice—encompassing sculpture, installation, video, painting, and performance—continually challenges conventional notions of form and function. Arrechea also shares insights into collaborations with institutions such as the Birmingham Royal Ballet, and discusses monumental public works like No Limits on Park Avenue, New York, and the Hexagon Garden created for Balmain. He further reflects on earlier works such as White Corner (2006) and The Garden of Mistrust (2006), unpacking how they exemplify his approach to context-specific art-making.

Employing the emotive lure of anecdotes, Arrechea takes us down memory lane, weaving an intertwining arc of a life of creative explorations that began as early as the age of 11 and continues to this day—a life that has come to mean, for him, a learning curve that never stops, driven by an ever-burning urge to expand language and correlate contexts across places and people. In one of his most striking interventions, he asked: “How can we turn straight lines into curved lines?” This question signals the subtle yet consistent quality of malleability that undergirds much of his artistic proposals. It is his way of bringing sensitivity, play, and humanness into the often heavy-handed world of sharp edges, fixed forms, and solid surfaces—hallmarks of structural integrity.

Thus, listeners are invited into the nuanced thinking behind his practice—how it bridges personal and collective narratives, navigates sociopolitical tension, and partakes in the synthesis of the “I” and the “we,” the subjective and the collective—while positioning art as a tool for healing, dialogue, connection, and meaning-making.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Early Influences: Growing up in Trinidad de Cuba, the impact of colonial architecture, and the familial environment that nurtured his artistic curiosity.
2. Artistic Education: The rigorous Cuban art school system, mentorship under René Francisco, and the formative years of his collective, Los Carpinteros.
3. Public Art & Architecture: The philosophies underpinning works like No Limits (Park Avenue) and Orange Functional (a basketball hoop tree), which invite public interaction and subvert structural hegemony.
4. Collaborations: Designing sets for Black Sabbath: The Ballet and fusing rock culture with classical dance.
5. Decolonizing Practice: How Arrechea’s work reconciles contradiction, integrates the “I” and the “we,” and fosters cross-cultural dialogue.
6. Art as Healing: The role of art in restoring a

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Hi, amazing listeners! Emeka Okereke here. I am the founder and host of this show. If you’ve enjoyed the stories, insights, and creativity we bring to this podcast series, I invite you to join my Patreon community at patreon.com/EmekaOkereke. 🎉

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In this episode of Nkata Podcast: Art & Processes, host Emeka Okereke engages in a compelling conversation with Nigerian painter, designer, and multimedia artist Ibe Ananaba. A lifelong explorer of visual storytelling, Ananaba’s journey is one of relentless curiosity—one that traverses the bustling city of Aba, where he grew up, the creative crucible of Lagos, and his current practice in Canada.

At the heart of this discussion lies a fundamental question: What do we owe the world as creatives?

Ananaba’s artistic practice is deeply interdisciplinary, blending painting, fashion illustration, calligraphy, and design to create a visual language that is both dynamic and socially engaged. Having spent 15 years as an art director in advertising before transitioning fully into studio practice, his work bridges the commercial and fine art worlds, exploring contemporary sociocultural narratives with an acute sensitivity to movement, rhythm, and texture. His paintings—often characterized by fluid lines and layered storytelling—reflect themes of identity, urban culture, and the evolving human experience across physical and virtual spaces.

Drawing from formative childhood experiences—where sketching on any available surface became both an obsession and a path toward mastery—he reflects on how artistic expression has shaped his sense of identity, purpose, and open-minded approach to life. His years in Lagos’ dynamic creative ecosystem, particularly within the legendary Dolphin Studios, further expanded his understanding of the intersections between art, design, photography, and visual culture.

Through the lens of his practice, Ananaba unpacks the anatomy of creativity—its process-driven nature, the delicate balance between discipline and spontaneity, and the profound role of artistic intuition. In discussing the shifting landscape of visual culture, he highlights the ways in which art serves as a vessel for personal growth, storytelling, and the articulation of selfhood.

Key Themes:

• Creativity as a Responsibility – The role of artists in shaping narratives and giving back to humanity.

• The Power of Place – How Aba, Lagos, and Canada have each informed Ananaba’s artistic practice.

• The Anatomy of Creativity – Unpacking process, play, and the search for essence.

• Between Fine Art & Advertising – Navigating multiple creative worlds while staying true to artistic purpose.

• Movement & Stillness – What remains constant in an artist’s work when they move across geographies?

• Art as a Vehicle for Memory – The artist’s role in preserving, reinterpreting, and questioning history.

Throughout the conversation, Ananaba offers invaluable reflections on the creative process—both as a personal journey and a communal act of meaning-making. He underscores the idea that creativity is not merely a personal pursuit but a social responsibility—an offering that extends beyond the self.

This episode is essential listening for artists, cultural practitioners, and anyone invested in the transformative power of creativity. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue that weaves together personal narratives, artistic philosophy, and a meditation on what it truly means to create with inten

Support the show

Hi, amazing listeners! Emeka Okereke here. I am the founder and host of this show. If you’ve enjoyed the stories, insights, and creativity we bring to this podcast series, I invite you to join my Patreon community at patreon.com/EmekaOkereke. 🎉

Send us a text

In this thought-provoking episode, host Emeka Okereke sits down with the visionary Ghanaian-born British artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah. Akomfrah is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary art and film, where his work poignantly explores themes of memory, post-colonialism, and the lived experiences of migrant diasporas across the globe.

The conversation delves into Akomfrah’s illustrious career, beginning with his pivotal role as a founding member of the Black Audio Film Collective in 1982. The collective’s debut film, Handsworth Songs (1986), marked a significant moment in British cinema. It examined the 1985 riots in Birmingham and London, showcasing Akomfrah’s distinctive style—a rich tapestry of archival footage, still images, and newsreels that challenge conventional storytelling methods and invite viewers to confront complex social issues.

Akomfrah’s work is not just a reflection of historical events but a deeply personal meditation on the intricacies of race, identity, and the persistent impact of colonial legacies. In this episode, he shares insights into how his films and installations serve as vehicles for re-inscribing identity, using art to navigate the often turbulent waters of racial narratives and their profound influence on societal relations and personal identity formation.

Listeners are invited to explore the philosophical underpinnings of Akomfrah’s oeuvre, as he discusses the continuous process of identity formation in dialogue with the ideas of intellectual giants like Stuart Hall and Frantz Fanon. The episode also touches on contemporary issues, such as the global resonance of the Black Lives Matter movement following the tragic killing of George Floyd and the societal upheavals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Akomfrah articulates how these events underscore the ongoing “presencing” of diasporic identities and the existential realities of living with an awareness of potential violence.

Throughout the conversation, Akomfrah offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind his works, emphasising the role of artistic passion, integrity, and sacrifice in the pursuit of meaningful art. His reflections provide invaluable guidance for artists today, encouraging them to engage deeply with the cultural and political dimensions of their practice.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the intersections of art, history, social commentary and the historical archive, as well as the power of film and visual art to provoke thought and inspire change. Tune in to experience a rich dialogue that intertwines personal narratives with historical and philosophical reflections, offering a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of art and its transformative potential in society.

Support the show

Hi, amazing listeners! Emeka Okereke here. I am the founder and host of this show. If you’ve enjoyed the stories, insights, and creativity we bring to this podcast series, I invite you to join my Patreon community at patreon.com/EmekaOkereke. 🎉