Artgidi

Artist Bio

Shade Fagorusi is a contemporary Nigerian artist whose practice is inspired by her passion for documentation. Her love for fabrics and yarns was kindled by two of her childhood neighbours, one a local cloth weaver (aso-oke), and the other a wool cardigan weaver. Fascinated by the process through which strands of thread and knitting yarns metamorphose into decorative, colourful domestic and commercial items, Shade proceeded to study art at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ilé-Ifè (2012). As an intentional embroidery artist whose works are handstitched and executed with the use of needle and knitting yarn, Shade employs the use of vertical stitch in executing her works. Her works celebrate the cultures, traditions, norms and beauty of Africans and her inspiration comes from introspection and her personal interaction with her environment. Shade’s uniqueness earned her a slot as the only Nigerian for the 10-man full-funded residency by the Arkane Association in Rabat, Morocco 2023. Her works also earned her a slot as one of the 6 selected Nigerians who benefitted of the El Anatsui travel prize to Dak’art Bienniale 2022. She has several awards to her credit, few of which are - Best Textile Art at the Life In My City Arts Festival 2019 and Justice Aniagolu Prize for Originality, LIMCAF 2015. Shade also represented Nigeria at the International Women’s Art Exhibition (100 women, 100 countries) in Dubai, 2020. She lives and works in Ilé-Ifè, Osun state, Nigeria and has participated in exhibitions within and outside Nigeria.