Yenwa Gallery is pleased to announce The Line / Between Us, a debut solo exhibition by Nigerian artist Ehinomen Okoeki.

The exhibition examines the social and emotional effects of Nigeria’s ongoing migration wave, widely known as the Japa Syndrome. While public discussion often frames migration in political or economic terms, Okoeki shifts the focus to its personal impact: the absence within families, friendships strained by distance, and the invisible lines drawn between loved ones across borders.

Drawing on his own experience of having relatives dispersed across continents, Okoeki uses his signature collage and mixed media practice to explore these realities. His process involves digitally manipulating and then deconstructing images into fragmented, exaggerated forms — stretched bodies, disjointed faces, and distorted features. These visual disruptions serve as metaphors for distance, disconnection, and the fragile ties under pressure in the context of migration.

“This exhibition aims to spark a necessary dialogue on the silent grief that shadows migration,” says Okoeki. “It is a quiet, often invisible ache that affects countless Nigerian families, sometimes without their full awareness, yet remains underexplored in mainstream discourse.”

The exhibition features 37 works, accompanied by sound, offering a multi-sensory experience that underscores the emotional effects of departure. It also serves as both a tribute to those who have left and a space of recognition for those who remain.

“The poignancy of Okoeki’s work lies in its balance – the playfulness of his style set against the weight of his subject matter. This tension creates an entry point for viewers, especially those with family members abroad, to engage with with the difficult realities of migration in a way that feels both accessible and deeply resonant,” says Ugonna Ibe, curator of the exhibition