I’m excited to welcome architect and design tastemaker Obiora Nwazota to the show!
Obiara will talk to us about how his experience in design and architecture and understanding of Igbo culture aided him in writing a successful children’s book. Through his writing and work, Obiora normalizes stories that celebrates Igbo culture and provides us with a different lens through which to view Black culture.
Obi moved to the US from Nigeria to study architecture. Upon his graduation he went on to work at the most innovative design firms in Chicago. From there, he would found his own firm, ONA formation, where he created several acclaimed projects influencing various scenes and cultures throughout Chicago before becoming the owner of the Orange Skin Showroom and Minotti-Chicago MonoBrand Showroom.
In 2020 Obi launched ỌKPARA HOUSE©, whose mission is to harness the power of good design, dialogue, and academic research as powerful agents to stimulate, reactivate, elevate, and reimagine Igbo culture. Through this, he reclaims and asserts Igbo culture's relevance to contemporary lifestyles within and beyond the Igbo community.
In April 2021, Okpara House Publishing released their first book, “Nkemdiche, Why We Do Not Grow Beards," an all-ages illustrated storybook.
During our conversation with Obi, we will discuss how he came to architecture and how growing up Igbo influences everything he does.
We talk about what culture means and what it means to be of African Descent in these modern times and how to think about imbuing rituals in our every day routines.
We close the discussion with the story of how he came to write his book, "Nkemdiche, Why We Do Not Grow Beards.”
Get to know Obiara Nwazota
https://www.okparahouse.com/shop
https://www.instagram.com/okparahouse/
Catch up with your host, Martine Séverin
www.martineseverin.com
https://www.instagram.com/martine.severin/
This is How We Create has been edited by Martine Severin.
32. How To Create Figurative Art - Ayana Ross
31. How to Become an Epic Improv Comic with Joy Dolo
30. How to Failure Can Help You Succeed
29. ICYMI: How Raymond Bonilla creates spontaneity in his paintings
28. ICYMI: How Danielle Chutinthranond Found Ceramics
27. How Brent Lewis creates a more dynamic photo industry
26. How Priya Shah cultivates resilience
25. How Dr Jackman creates a practice that supports her wellbeing
24. How Tonika Lewis Johnson uses Photography for the Social Good
23. How Kristyn Ivey Tidies and Spark Joy
22. How Tamy Tiongson practices hostmanship and opened a bakeshop
21. How Darnell Scott creates a visual brand
20. How Essdras M Suarez Teaches Visual Storytelling
19. How Martine Severin became an Alpha Female
18. How Jenny Severin Travels
17. How Alisha Sommer Enjoys Food, Wine and Words
16. How Raymond Bonilla creates spontaneity in his paintings
15. How to create work that has meaning - Martine Severin & Amy V Cooper
14. How Rhonda K Brown Became a Fine Art Painter
13. How Fares Micue employ color in her work
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
50 Tastes Of Gray
Dear Alice | Interior Design
Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast
Grimms’ Fairy Tales
The Turn of the Screw
The Magnus Archives
The Moth