Ify Chiejina

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Hi, my name is Ify Chegina and I'm an artist
from Southeast Queens.

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Eyes in my artwork symbolize groups of people.

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So far in my art, decorative eyes that are
sewn with thread, fabric,

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and sequins represents cold-blooded

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individuals with malice intentions. I am
inspired by

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storytelling. I love to build and think of a
narrative to include in my works.

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I chose to use watercolor paper

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in my works. And I like the idea of being able
to rip them off from the pad.

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Because I felt

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during the state of being in COVID, I felt
like I was really tapping

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into being a visual storyt eller. And I wanted
to feel like I was ripping

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off notes from my notepad or from my
watercolor pad.

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My piece, Warm and Cold-Blooded Stairs,

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Garden, is my interpretation of the saying,
"Snakes in the Grass." During this time of isolation,

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I have been reflecting on past experiences
where I was too trusting of the wrong people.

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In my second piece, Pattern, decorative evil
eyes,

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shares space with normal looking eyes, which
signifies empathetic people.

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In the piece, there is water that represents
negative patterns of behavior.

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One of the hands is ascending into the water
and the other hand is emerging.

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In my last piece, called "I solemnly swear,"

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there are just empathetic eyes above a figure
that is searching for calm.

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There is no way to do it. There is no way to
do it. There is no way to do it. There is no way to do it.

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There is no way to do it. Do you need to thank
anybody? Do you need to mention Southeast Queens? Oh,

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I'm going to fumble that. You didn't tell me
what this is made of.

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Okay. There is no way to do it. Blood, sweat,
and tears.

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Okay. So, we all came together.