BENEATH THE WEIGHT OF MEMORY
Size, medium, year
29.7 ×42cm, watercolour painting, 2026
Description
Ökpa ji means YAM LEG. In the eastern part of Nigeria, women are known for having large calves which in the long run get laughed at - how big it is, the way it jiggles when we walk and how it often looks out of proportion. Growing up, I often get ridiculed or laughed at because of the size of my calves, this has made me hate how my legs look and often feel ashamed while walking on the streets with the thought of someone looking at my legs and laughing. This series is my little love letter to the beauty in our big, solid legs, appreciate it for what it is, walk confidently and embrace its looks, changing the Nigerian stereotype . A reminder that having strong legs isn’t just physical , it’s grounding, it’s heritage, it’s who we are, and it’s the life we’re built to carry. This series isn’t only about Igbo Ökpa ji, our women with large calves, it is showing our woman and the public the beauty in every woman’s legs — large, small, thin, slim, dark, light and so on.
Description
Ökpa ji means YAM LEG. In the eastern part of Nigeria, women are known for having large calves which in the long run get laughed at - how big it is, the way it jiggles when we walk and how it often looks out of proportion. Growing up, I often get ridiculed or laughed at because of the size of my calves, this has made me hate how my legs look and often feel ashamed while walking on the streets with the thought of someone looking at my legs and laughing. This series is my little love letter to the beauty in our big, solid legs, appreciate it for what it is, walk confidently and embrace its looks, changing the Nigerian stereotype . A reminder that having strong legs isn’t just physical , it’s grounding, it’s heritage, it’s who we are, and it’s the life we’re built to carry. This series isn’t only about Igbo Ökpa ji, our women with large calves, it is showing our woman and the public the beauty in every woman’s legs — large, small, thin, slim, dark, light and so on.