“Ebiren Oliuwa Prosi Prosi” marks a pivotal chapter in Tiffany-Annabelle’s artistic journey – one that celebrates womanhood as a space of joy, growth, and radical optimism.
Echoed in the title of the exhibition itself, “Ebire Oliwa Prosi Prosi”, which means “women are still flourishing in her native Itshekiri tongue”, Tiffany Annabelle pays homage to her ancestors while celebrating a language that in itself is in danger of becoming extinct. The exhibition, which opened last Friday and will run till May 17, is being held at AMG Projects in Lekki, Lagos.
At the heart of this new body of work is a deeper exploration of the artist’s Itsekiri heritage, expressed through a vivid selection of flora that’s unique to her Niger Delta origins. The women she paints, depicted nude or embraced in intimate gestures, and are enveloped in lush arrangements of hibiscus, African orchids, and frangipani. These flowers, abundant in the Niger Delta region, transcend their botanical presence to become metaphors for identity and personal renewal.
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Each bloom carries layered significance. The hibiscus, bold and vibrant, speaks to resilience and the beauty of transformation. The African orchid, rare and poised, embodies the strength and grace of women navigating their evolving selves. The frangipani, fragrant and delicate, reflects the rootedness of culture and the quiet power of rebirth. Collectively, they form a symbolic ecosystem – one that nourishes the spirit as much as it honors the land.
Beyond aesthetic contemplation, this presentation also offers an urgent ecological reflection. The artist’s growing concern for environmental degradation in the Niger Delta parallels her desire to protect and preserve the region’s biodiversity. Her artistic choices echo this commitment: the flowers flourish on canvas as they are threatened in reality, making each painting both an act of beauty and resistance.
In line with this ethos, Tiffany-Annabelle turns to brown paper as a deliberate material choice. Its unbleached, organic texture aligns with sustainable practices while reinforcing the exhibition’s themes of natural abundance and cultural continuity. Far from incidental, the medium becomes part of the message – a tactile reminder of the quiet ways we can live in harmony with nature.
As she steps further into her power, the artist invites us to consider preservation of not just the environment but culture as well. Seeking to remind us that culture is not a fixed inheritance but an evolving living force that must be preserved and protected, one that is critical to the survival of our future generations.