Hi There!
I AM JOY OKOKON
a ceramist and mixed media artist
Joy Okokon received her MFA in Visual Studies from Missouri State University in Springfield, an MA in Art, Department of Art, Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and her BFA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. She currently serves as a Teacher of Record of foundations class and pursing her MFA degree at Missouri State University. Her work observes a growing inclination among Nigerian women towards global and Western trends, leading to a decline in the adoption of traditionally symbolic hairstyles. This shift in culture raises her concern about the potential fading of these cherished traditions. Consequently, her creative endeavors transcend mere self-expression; they become a dedicated mission to safeguard the legacy of these hairstyles. This mission extends not only within Nigerian’s borders but also reaches beyond, aiming to preserve and celebrate this cultural heritage.
She has showcased her work in galleries both nationally and internationally, including exhibitions in California, Detroit, New Jersey, Virginia, Ghana, Nigeria, Missouri, and Charleston, among others. Recently, she completed a workshop at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and held a solo exhibition in Springfield, Missouri. She was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Student Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, NJ, and was named the 2024 Kaabo Clay Awardee at the 4th Annual Kaabo Award for Black Ceramicists in Sarasota, FL.
Joy Okokon received her MFA in Visual Studies from Missouri State University in Springfield, an MA in Art, Department of Art, Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and her BFA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. She currently serves as a Teacher of Record of foundations class and pursing her MFA degree at Missouri State University. Her work observes a growing inclination among Nigerian women towards global and Western trends, leading to a decline in the adoption of traditionally symbolic hairstyles. This shift in culture raises her concern about the potential fading of these cherished traditions. Consequently, her creative endeavors transcend mere self-expression; they become a dedicated mission to safeguard the legacy of these hairstyles. This mission extends not only within Nigerian’s borders but also reaches beyond, aiming to preserve and celebrate this cultural heritage.
She has showcased her work in galleries both nationally and internationally, including exhibitions in California, Detroit, New Jersey, Virginia, Ghana, Nigeria, Missouri, and Charleston, among others. Recently, she completed a workshop at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and held a solo exhibition in Springfield, Missouri. She was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Student Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, NJ, and was named the 2024 Kaabo Clay Awardee at the 4th Annual Kaabo Award for Black Ceramicists in Sarasota, FL.
We’re here at the crossroads of culture and art, where African womanhood’s beauty is woven into our lives. Our home is Nigeria, a place where hair braiding is more than just art; it’s a deep tapestry of power, beauty, and identity.
As keepers of this tradition, we’ve inherited the wisdom passed down through generations. We’ve come to see that hair is not just hair; it’s a way we talk to each other, bridging our world with the spiritual one. It tells us about age, faith, money, and where we stand in society, painting a clear picture of who we are.
In the shadows of history, we find hope. Our ancestors, in their quest for freedom, used hairstyles as maps to guide them to liberty. Hair became a symbol of strength and determination, a testament to the spirit of our people.
Our mission is clear: through art we honor this legacy. With clay as our canvas, we mold women into sculptures that breathe life into our narratives. Coiling and pinching, we intricately weave braiding patterns that mirror the complexity of our heritage.
We use materials like clay, glazes, cowries and fabrics that carry the marks of our traditions. Brass combs symbolize the transition from being young to being a woman and a sign of royalty, adding depth to the rich tapestry we create.
Our platform is sanctuary, a place for reflection and celebrating African womanhood. We aim to show all the different ways hair tells our story of culture, history, and who we are. Hair braiding isn’t just art; it’s a powerful language we use to express our deepest feelings.
Embracing this privilege, we continue the journey started by those who came before us. We craft, we create, we communicate. We carry on the tradition of strength, beauty, and determination. We are the artists, and this is our promise.
MANIFESTO
We’re here at the crossroads of culture and art, where African womanhood’s beauty is woven into our lives. Our home is Nigeria, a place where hair braiding is more than just art; it’s a deep tapestry of power, beauty, and identity.
As keepers of this tradition, we’ve inherited the wisdom passed down through generations. We’ve come to see that hair is not just hair; it’s a way we talk to each other, bridging our world with the spiritual one. It tells us about age, faith, money, and where we stand in society, painting a clear picture of who we are.
In the shadows of history, we find hope. Our ancestors, in their quest for freedom, used hairstyles as maps to guide them to liberty. Hair became a symbol of strength and determination, a testament to the spirit of our people.
Our mission is clear: through art we honor this legacy. With clay as our canvas, we mold women into sculptures that breathe life into our narratives. Coiling and pinching, we intricately weave braiding patterns that mirror the complexity of our heritage.
We use materials like clay, glazes, cowries and fabrics that carry the marks of our traditions. Brass combs symbolize the transition from being young to being a woman and a sign of royalty, adding depth to the rich tapestry we create.
Our platform is sanctuary, a place for reflection and celebrating African womanhood. We aim to show all the different ways hair tells our story of culture, history, and who we are. Hair braiding isn’t just art; it’s a powerful language we use to express our deepest feelings.
Embracing this privilege, we continue the journey started by those who came before us. We craft, we create, we communicate. We carry on the tradition of strength, beauty, and determination. We are the artists, and this is our promise.
Okokon holds a BA in Industrial Arts (Ceramics) from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, an MA in Art from Eastern Illinois University, and is currently a candidate for an MFA in Visual Studies at Missouri State University. Her work has been exhibited in numerous group exhibitions, including the juried exhibition at Blue Line Art in Roseville, CA, and the Mo-Ky Mud 2: A Collaborative Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics at the Corolla Arts Exhibition Center in Springfield, MO. In 2023, Okokon has received numerous awards for her work, including the Arrowmount + Windgate Fellowship in Gatlinburg, TN, and the Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award. She has also served as a gallery assistant at the Brick City Gallery at Missouri State University and the Carolla Art Exhibition Center. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Okokon is a member of the International Sculpture Center in New Jersey and the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Through her work, she continues to explore the cultural and social significance of hair braiding among women and its connection to power, beauty, and identity
