Born in Lagos State, Nigeria, contemporary artist Tonia Nneji comes from a long line of traditional carvers and masquerade carriers. Following the family tradition of artistry, she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Visual Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 2016.
Known for her use of bold colours and intricate patterns, Nneji’s work explores the relationship between trauma and the female body. Drawing from her experience in dealing with personal health issues, she confronts a culture of suppression and silence on women’s physical and mental health, body autonomy and sexual harassment in a bid to create safe spaces where conversations could be held freely. Her work also investigates the nature of commemorative fabrics and the ways they represent and transcend notions of place and belonging. This preoccupation with body forms and textile material navigates cultural and social meanings of fabric in contemporary African societies while also exploring the protective qualities of clothing.
She held her debut solo exhibition You May Enter in 2020 at Rele Gallery, Lagos. Select group exhibitions include Dancing in Dark Times, (2021), Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, London, Orita Meta, (2021), Rele Gallery, Los Angeles, ItAwRAP, (2021), Rele Gallery, Lagos.
She has also presented her work at Art Basel Miami (2022), Art Dubai (2022), Art Paris (2021) and FNB Art Joburg (2019).
In 2020, Nneji was a resident at the Art Dubai residency and is a recipient of the Ronke Ekwensi Fellowship in New Jersey. Nneji’s works have been featured in prominent publications such as Nation Newspaper, Vanguard, and the Guardian and in 2017, she was featured on BBC Africa during International Women’s Day. Her work has also been profiled by prolific Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie in her essay ‘The New Guard’ published by Harper’s Bazaar in 2020.