The Weight of Fabric, the Voice of Paint

Stephanie Emmanuel Kwaghe is an Abuja-based visual artist and member of the Eko Militants collective. Her work pushes the boundaries of materiality by merging thick oil impasto with repurposed denim, creating layered canvases that are as tactile as they are symbolic. Through this fusion, Kwaghe explores themes of freedom, identity, and cultural memory, transforming everyday materials into powerful vessels of emotion and story. Her art doesn’t just hang on walls, it confronts, questions, and liberates, giving texture to the unseen layers of human experience.

How did Your Journey into Art Begin, and what Drew You to Visual Expression in the First Place?

My journey started like many others with a natural flare for the arts and sheer raw God-given talent. Over time, this talent grew into an undeniable part of who I am. Art became my language, my way of communicating emotions, stories, and perspectives that words alone could not capture.

What Inspired Your Decision to Merge Denim with Paint, what does that Material Symbolize for You?

Back then, as an undergraduate majoring in painting, we had courses that encouraged us to explore unconventional mediums. Being a sucker for experimentation, I gravitated toward denim, something not commonly explored in my environment. I became fascinated by how it could be manipulated like any traditional medium if you understood colour theory and grading. I nurtured this idea for over two years before executing my final year project with denim, and through that process, I realized its weight as a symbol of resilience, identity, and everyday life. Denim, to me, embodies the ordinary transformed into extraordinary a fabric that carries both personal and cultural histories, now reimagined on canvas.

Can You Walk us through Your Creative Process when Building a Textured Canvas?

My process begins with sketches on paper, which I later transfer onto a larger surface. There’s no strict formula, but I often start by mapping out areas to be painted to avoid staining the portions I want left raw. From there, the work unfolds in an intuitive and playful manner anchored in principles and elements, yet flexible enough to let the piece guide me.

How do You Decide the Balance Between Fabric and Paint in each Work?

Before starting a piece, I may have a well-thought-out design, but once creativity takes over, the plan often shifts. The balance between fabric and paint comes naturally; it is less of a conscious decision and more of a dialogue with the work itself.

What does Work with “everyday” Materials like Denim mean to You in Terms of Accessibility and Symbolism?

Working with everyday materials like denim makes my art more relatable and accessible. Denim is something almost everyone has owned or worn, so it bridges the gap between the artwork and the audience. Symbolically, denim represents resilience, sustainability, and identity it’s a universal fabric tied to both struggle and style. By reimagining it in my work, I show how the ordinary can carry extraordinary narratives. How traditional art and contemporary art can coexist and also how we could care for our environment by being resourceful.

Your Freedom Series has Powerful Emotional Undertones. How do You Personally define “freedom” in Your Work?

The very essence of being able to create without fear of judgment or the need for external validation is freedom for me. It is the space where my ideas, emotions, and convictions can exist unrestrained.

You Once Described Your Art as a Way of Giving Voice to what is Often Unspoken, can You Expand on this?

Art allows me to confront emotions, histories, and narratives that are often silenced or overlooked. My work becomes a vessel for those unspoken realities whether it’s personal struggles, societal tensions, or shared cultural memory. By translating them into visual form, I create space for them to be acknowledged, felt, and discussed. Most importantly, I feel fulfilled when my work helps unlock the emotional barriers we often build to protect ourselves. Because when we detach from our emotions, we also risk detaching from the beauty and depth that surround us.

How has being Part of the Eko Militants Collective Shaped Your Creative Journey?

Being part of the Eko Militants collective exposed me to diverse perspectives and strengthened my belief in the power of collaboration. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, encouraging me to see my work not just as individual expression but as part of a larger conversation within contemporary Nigerian art. The exchange of ideas, critiques, and shared experiences within the collective has been invaluable in shaping both my confidence and my practice.

What Role do You think Collectives and Community Spaces Play in the Nigerian Art Scene?

Collectives and community spaces are vital in the Nigerian art scene because they create ecosystems of support, visibility, and experimentation. They provide platforms for young artists to showcase their work, build networks, and challenge established narratives. In a context where resources can be limited, these spaces foster collaboration, resilience, and innovation that drive the scene forward.

What Challenges have You Faced Experimenting with such Unconventional Material Combinations?

The most recurring challenge has been in surface preparation. With traditional painting, I only needed to prime my canvas evenly, but with denim, I had to think differently accounting for textures, grains, and negative spaces. Another challenge was internal: breaking free from the mental barrier of “what if” to “even if.” This practice didn’t emerge overnight; it took persistence and encouragement from myself and those who understood my vision to keep pushing despite setbacks.

If Your Work could Speak One Message to Audiences across the World, what would it Say?

True creativity is born when you give yourself permission to grow, to make mistakes, to explore beyond reason and ultimately, to bloom beyond limitations and expectations.

Where do You see Your Art Evolving in the Next Few Years New Materials, Themes, or Scales?

My practice will always be rooted in pushing boundaries. In the coming years, I envision exploring larger scales that immerse the viewer physically, while also experimenting with new materials that continue the dialogue between the familiar and the unconventional. Thematically, I see my work deepening its engagement with identity, memory, and resilience, always in pursuit of redefining how art can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.