welcome to ėda ōba
Loren is an visuel artist, actress and ceramicist whose practice is based on the notion of intimacy, displacement and languages in a invented world dubbed eda oba.
artist statement
In the realm of sensuality and rhythmic interconnectivity, I craft multilayered narratives, sculpting voice, and sound. Drawing inspiration from Kongo and Ewe spiritualities, immigration tales from african displaced women, my work delves into the juxtaposition of West African fantasy with the harsh realities of a sensitive inner world.
My focus intertwines intimacy, displacement, and the fantastic, reflecting on black women's narratives.
Through projects like the photography series capturing Black Women in Blue Hues (Blue Nkume), pioneering the first black French podcast on social justice and afro pop culture, "The Why Podcast"(engaging in community outreach, art curation, and democratising discussions in "Black Masculinity" and "Black Love" with collaborators).
Rooted in high-detail world-building and storytelling, I am driven by a spiritual mission to amplify women stories, drawing inspiration from the lineage of women before me. My creative process involves detailed research, insightful interviews, and guided creative freedom, resulting in visually rich experiences. Inspired by figures like Wole Soyinka, and Alice Diop, I aim to be a vessel, solidifying values, and profound insights into the human experience.
Driven by an irrepressible desire to articulate and accentuate details, I started writing at the age of 8. Crafting characters from my imagination, I enacted stories to fill gaps in my story, establishing myself as the commander of my narrative. My insatiable need to express my internal turmoil into a shared, relatable experience fuels a contagious outpouring of words onto paper. Currently working on "Buried," a one-act play delving into the experiences of a black woman with fibroids, juggling societal expectations while facing medical scepticism. "Voicedealer," an Afro-fantastical theatrical voice performance based on songs I've professionally produced, explores unrequited love, stifled creativity pursuits and futuristic jazz.