It was a unique night when artists celebrated their innovation and creativity. A group of talented artists led by Gozi Ochonogor, the Japan-based Nigerian fashion designer exhibited their works at TerraKulture to make the final edition of Pechakucha in Lagos.
The artists who presented images of their works in an informal setting also took home to explain their visions as artists.

They were equally united in the mission of fusing Nigerian culture with that of Japan aside showcasing pieces of artworks to a larger audience.

As the first edition in Nigeria, Pecha Kucha took centre stage in Lagos with an assemblage of contemporary artworks from diverse genres. Some of the talented professionals and artists featured include Papa Omotayo, James George asubara (Painters), and Jite Brume (architects); Richardson Ovbiebo, Megumi Matsubara (Painters), Gozi Ochonogor and Biki John (fashion designers.) Others are Zeb Ejiro (film producer), Ibukun Oyetunji, (Graphic Designer), Emeka Ogboh ( sound artist) as well as Tunde Kuboye and Abraham Oghobase (photographers).

As a mark of their versatility, each of the artists displayed diverse works with commentaries on contemporary issues and events. For Ovbiebo, art in public space was conceived with symbols of light house, decorated street lanterns, skyscrapers etc which are also conceived for the future. Emeka Ogboh showcased Lagos ‘sound’scape with a focus on sound installation while Papa Omotayo presented diverse motifs of African architecture in his conceptual paintings.

Biki john the fashion designer focused on esoteric designs which have local and modern influences, just as Abraham Oghobase gave a visual diary of his experiences and sojourn in Berlin, the German capital. For James George, conceptual designs were used to turn spaces into shapes and forms. The architect who has eyes on the future also experimented with different concepts and symbols.

Ochonogor the host said she loves to tell stories with her works. She also has a passion for mixing the Nigerian spirit with the western spirit while designing. And as a non-profit project, Pecha Kucha, according to her aims at giving back to society as well as inspire the younger generation of artists not only to produce works, but to network with their peers to share creative energies and ideas.

Anchored by the duo of Ochonogor and Tamilore Kuboye, the Pecha Kucha Night in Lagos was a reply of an idea that was conceived in Tokyo in 2003 by Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein as a forum for designers to meet, network and show their work in public.
According to Ochonojor, Pecha Kucha in Japanese depicts the sound of conversation, and has since spread to over 250 cities across the globe with Lagos as the latest entrant.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria on March 8, 1974, Gozi left Nigeria for England at the age of 19 to study Software Engineering at Imperial College, London. In 1998, she enrolled at the Central School of Fashion to study Ladies Wear Fashion. At College, she concentrated on pattern construction into sexy ladies wear. While at college, she also worked at the Anthony Reynolds Gallery where she gained inspiration from renowned contemporary British artist s such as Mark Wallinger and Turner Prize winners Keith Tyson and Richard Billingham.

In her second year at college, Gozi created her eponymous label which she sold at the funky Portobello Market. She quickly acquired a solid client base and became the go-to gal for stylists and Japanese clients. She also created her first collection for a small Paris shop Lily per Pink. In 2003, after she graduated, Gozi set up her company Gozi Ltd. She launched her brand Gozi at London Fashion Week that year. Gozi draws influences from a myriad of sources; from science, art and dance, to a love for travelling and learning about new cultures. In each collection, she strives to find harmony between apparently polar opposites. U.Mi-1 brand (You.Me.One) is her second label and includes both mens and ladies wear.

The U.Mi-1 brand embodies the similarities between two cultures; Japanese and Nigerian, and is her homage to the country she believes is akin to her home Nigeria. The brand aims to create a fashion as art brand through collaborations with home grown artists. She has collaborated with artists such as architect/artist Megumi Matsubara, Tamaki textile designer, Fumiko Egawa, sculptor Tetsuo Harada and design company plusminuszero.

Through U.Mi01, Gozi aims to bridge the gap between the two nations. Live! U.Mi-1, the philanthropic arm of the brand is an exchange program aimed at bringing cultural awareness to orphaned kids in Nigeria and Japan through artistic workshops. Encouraging dialogue through art and giving the children a stimulating experience is at the heart of this project. In collaboration with an invited artist, Gozi educates the children in Japan about Nigeria and vise versa.

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