Artist Name: Ivie Ada Onaiwu
Residency Dates: February – April 2024
Born: 1996
Hometown: Bern, Switzerland
Lives & Works: Bern, Switzerland
URL: https://ivieada.ch/ | Instagram: @ivieadaonaiwu
Education: 2016 – 2019 | BA in Visual Communication, Bern Academy of the arts HKB
Bio/Statement:
Ivie Ada Onaiwu designs carpets and graphics in Bern, Switzerland. She works as both an employee and in freelance, collaborating with local cultural institutions. Onaiwu is part of the FLINTA* only music-, booking- and event-label Forcefield Records, where she is responsible for the visual appearance.
Addressing the issue of racism, particularly as a black woman in Switzerland, Onaiwu has illustrated a children’s book titled Wenn ich anders bin als du, bist du anders als ich (When I’m Different from You, You’re Different from Me) alongside activist Mohamed Wa Baile. The book follows the footsteps of James Baldwin in Leukerbad, Switzerland and aims to introduce young readers to the concept of racism as a social structure and promote empathy and understanding.
Beyond graphic design, Onaiwu has discovered a second creative outlet in the form of hand-tufted rugs. Inspired by the concept of feeling at home and its expression through textiles, she designs and produces unique carpets for walls and floors. She is currently involved in commissioned projects. With primarily focus on integrating and expanding her carpet design work with her political interests and engagement. She aims to use her designs as a means of conveying important messages and promoting social change.
Onaiwu’s artistic career reflects her commitment to collaborating, exploring and addressing social issues through her creative expressions. Her work promotes dialogue, understanding and inclusivity in the local arts community.
Support: Ivie Ada Onaiwu’s residency is made possible with support from the Canton of Berne Office of Culture / Cultural Promotion.
