Community Connections Through Uli Art

The Warhol Academy’s Power Up Program

July 11, 2024

On July 11, 2024, Dominique Swift, a member of the Rainbow Serpent Collective, led a transformative workshop as part of The Pop District's Warhol Academy Power Up program. During this three-hour session, Dominique guided high-school-aged women of color through an in-depth exploration of Uli art, a cultural tradition rooted in the Igbo women of Nigeria. The workshop focused on how Uli art connects themes of womanhood, spirituality, and community.

Participants were introduced to the history and cultural significance of Uli and Nsibidi symbols and discussed their relevance in modern contexts and personal lives. Through learning traditional techniques, each participant created Uli-inspired artworks, drawing from a color palette of burnt sienna, blue, red, black, white, and yellow—colors traditionally used in Uli art.

The workshop culminated in the creation of a collaborative mural, where individual pieces were connected using safety pins, symbolizing the fusion of personal narratives into a collective story. This method emphasized the dynamic and temporal nature of Uli art, which allows for continuous redefinition and evolution.

This workshop highlighted the communal and expressive aspects of Uli art, providing a space for participants to connect with their own stories and their community through this traditional and collaborative art form. The experience fostered a deeper sense of belonging and shared cultural heritage, empowering the young women to explore their identities within a supportive and creative environment.