Samuel Nnorom: Ocean Rise

Textile, sculpture and painting converge in a solo exhibition by Nigerian artist Samuel Nnorom, whose works transform African wax fabrics and pompom forms into layered explorations of history, migration and resilience. Nearly thirty pieces evoke the rhythmic movement of the ocean while reflecting on cultural exchange, displacement and identity.

Samuel Nnorom: Ocean Rise is on view September 20 through November 1 at N’Namdi Contemporary Fine Art, with an opening reception Saturday, September 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibition draws on shared coastal histories between Nigeria and Miami, positioning fabric as both material and metaphor in a practice shaped by memory, storytelling and reclamation.

Samuel Nnorom (b. Jos, Nigeria) grew up in a family of artisans, with early exposure to sewing and shoemaking that influenced his sculptural approach. His work reclaims textiles often tied to colonial legacies, layering them into dynamic forms that examine globalization, postcolonial identity and the politics of everyday life. Nnorom has exhibited internationally and is recognized as one of the rising voices in contemporary African art.