Ify Chiejina Statement for SEQAA Exhibit

WEBVTT

00:00:03.060 --> 00:00:08.000
Hi, my name is Ify Chegina and I'm an artist
from Southeast Queens.

00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.000
Eyes in my artwork symbolize groups of people.

00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:16.720
So far in my art, decorative eyes that are
sewn with thread, fabric,

00:00:16.720 --> 00:00:19.980
and sequins represents cold-blooded

00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:26.000
individuals with malice intentions. I am
inspired by storytelling.

00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.000
I love to build and think of a narrative to
include in my works.

00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:38.240
I chose to use watercolor paper

00:00:38.240 --> 00:00:43.000
in my works. And I like the idea of being able
to rip them off from the pad.

00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.090
Because I felt

00:00:46.060 --> 00:00:52.460
during the state of being in COVID, I felt
like I was really

00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:55.000
tapping into being a visual storyteller.

00:00:56.000 --> 00:01:02.000
And I wanted to feel like I was ripping off
notes from my notepad or from my watercolor pad.

00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.120
My piece, Warm and Cold-Blooded Stairs Garden,

00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:13.100
is my interpretation of the saying, "Snakes in
the Grass." During this time of isolation,

00:01:13.100 --> 00:01:17.990
I have been reflecting on past experiences
where I was too trusting of the wrong people.

00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:24.130
In my second piece, Pattern, decorative evil
eyes,

00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:30.000
share space with normal looking eyes, which
signifies empathetic people.

00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:35.000
In the piece, there is water that represents
negative patterns of behavior.

00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:41.990
One of the hands is ascending into the water
and the other hand is emerging.

00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:48.000
In my last piece, called "I solemnly swear,"
there are just empathetic eyes

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.000
above a figure that is searching for calm. So,
what is the answer to that?

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:56.000
Do I need to do it again? Do you need to thank
anybody?

00:01:56.000 --> 00:02:00.000
Do you need to mention Southeast Queens? Oh,
I'm going to fumble that.

00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:04.000
You didn't tell me what this is made of. Okay.

00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.000
No, I'm not. Blood, sweat, and tears.

00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.000
Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.