Kunsthalle Bern is proud to present the Swiss debut of Nigerian artist Onyeka Igwe’s provocative new film, The Names Have Changed. On display from November 18 through January 14, 2025, the exhibition explores themes of historical memory, identity, and the shifting dynamics of cultural inheritance through Igwe’s distinct cinematic lens.
In The Names Have Changed, Igwe delves into the often complex relationship between language, history, and the naming conventions that shape collective and personal identities. The film is a layered, multifaceted narrative that investigates how the act of renaming—whether through colonial imposition or contemporary reimagining—affects the very fabric of selfhood and belonging.
The film takes viewers on a sensory journey, employing an array of visual and auditory techniques that evoke the nuanced layers of African diasporic experiences. Through archival footage, intimate interviews, and abstract imagery, Igwe questions the colonial legacies embedded in the very names we inherit, while also exploring the possibilities of reimagining and reclaiming these identities for the future.
This exhibition follows Igwe’s established interest in film as a tool for social change and reflection. Known for her interdisciplinary practice that merges filmmaking, installation art, and research, the artist’s work often engages with questions of power, race, and history—issues that resonate deeply in the context of both global and local conversations about decolonization and cultural reclamation.
The Names Have Changed marks a pivotal moment in Igwe’s career, as the film engages with the ongoing debates surrounding Africa’s colonial past and its echoes in the present. The exhibition is also an invitation for audiences to reflect on how identity is shaped by both historical forces and individual agency.
The artist’s nuanced approach to history and memory is underscored by the intimate nature of the work. Instead of presenting a singular, definitive narrative, Igwe offers an open-ended dialogue—one that acknowledges the complexity of cultural legacies while encouraging personal reflection and discussion.
Kunsthalle Bern’s exhibition is set to be a vital conversation starter, offering a powerful lens on the intersection of African identity, historical memory, and the politics of naming. The opening will be accompanied by a talk with the artist, where Igwe will discuss her motivations, the creative process behind The Names Have Changed, and the broader cultural implications of her work.
The Names Have Changed is available for viewing at Kunsthalle Bern from November 18, 2024, to January 14, 2025. For more information on the exhibition and related events, visit the Kunsthalle Bern website.
About Onyeka Igwe
Onyeka Igwe is a Nigerian artist, filmmaker, and researcher whose work spans across film, installation, and performance. Known for her critical engagement with the legacies of colonialism, Igwe’s projects explore themes of migration, history, and the transformation of cultural narratives. She has exhibited internationally, including at the Tate Modern in London and the New Museum in New York, and has received numerous accolades for her innovative approach to contemporary art and storytelling.
source: artdaily.cc
