Carol Muthiga-Oyekunle
Carol Muthiga-Oyekunle is a Kenyan-American artist and accessories designer. Her work is influenced by a foundation in graphic design and career as a luxury accessories designer. Lolita Lorenzo (named for her daughters Chiara Lola and Siena Lorenza) showcases her multiple disciplines: eyewear, minaudière, jewelry, home decor, illustration and fine art. Carol is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in London (MA Fashion). She lives and works in Paris.
In the works of Carol Muthiga-Oyekunle, women are portrayed as symbolic warriors, radiating strength and joy. Combining digital and mixed-media collage methods with photography and vivid graphical elements, the artist skillfully interweaves techniques to create bold and brilliant portraits of her female subjects. The resulting art depicts themes from the past, present and imagined futures, holding up a mirror to a patriarchal society.
Muthiga-Oyekunle finds inspiration for her art in her daily life - from faces on the street to close friends and women she admires. Her experimental approach involves fusing disparate elements and styles into a cohesive whole - it’s this contrast that adds a touch of magic to all her art. Her diverse, multifaceted technique draws on a wide range of classic and modern influences – everything from Klimt, Matisse, Moser, Mucha, Avedon, Warhol and Lichtenstein to her contemporaries Kehinde Wiley, Yinka Shonibare, Nick Cave, Bisa Butler and Wangechi Mutu.
Recurring themes in the artist’s creative process are culture, tradition and Afrofuturism – the artistic and philosophical movement which envisions a high-tech futuristic African diaspora, where racial equality is a reality rather than an idea. The artist herself describes her subjects as “intergalactic”.
Could you tell us more about your background and how you began creating art?
I initially wanted to become a civil engineer when I went to university. I realized very quickly that despite my love of math and physics, I was not well suited to the profession. I switched to the visual communication design program and found my happy place. I worked as an Art Director in publishing and television in New York City. My turning point came after the events of September 11th, 2001. I had to live my life with purpose and passion. Leaving the security of a corporate environment led to the creation of my first fashion accessories brand. Ten years later, I took a professional hiatus and moved to Paris to start a family. I started to create mixed media collages purely as a creative outlet. As a result of this, I found myself gravitating towards fashion again and launched my luxury accessories brand Lolita Lorenzo - named for my 2 daughters. I create my own collections as well as collaborate with other brands in the luxury space.
In 2017, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a Masters degree in eyewear at the Royal College of Art in London. Up until that time, I had always known the 'who', 'what', 'where' and 'how'. I needed to find out my "WHY". It is that journey of discovery that has led me to where I am now. The real shift in my art practice began when Paris was under lockdown in March 2020. The world stood still and everything was on hold. With no access to traditional art materials, I decided to make do with what I had - my computer and an active imagination. It took me a while to develop my signature style. For the first time I was creating art with no expectation or end goal in mind. No prototyping, budgeting, production, marketing or sales. This was true freedom. Often, I thought that it has taken me 3 years to manifest what I have now. In actuality, it has taken 32 years. Connecting all the dots.
What does your art aim to say to its viewers?
This Woman is here. She is boldly and unapologetically claiming her space. She is the past, the present and the future.
Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What is your daily routine when working?
Starting with a photograph of a woman, the only decision I make is how large I want the finished piece to be. The rest of my process is quite organic. The elements in my digital collages are based on organic forms, marine life, insects, birds electron microscope photography. I am obsessed with the patterns in nature and how things are all connected. Working with my collage elements is painstaking yet meditative work. I allow the different elements and colors to dictate how my art evolves and where it ends up — unafraid of the outcome. I love the idea of juxtaposing elements that would, seemingly, not work together. And then seeing what is revealed. Quite often, it is magical!
My work routine is pretty regimented as I work on other fashion/design projects simultaneously. Early mornings always begin with meditation, a detox elixir and coffee. Then I work on 3 - 4 artworks at a time. Depending on how each is developing, I focus on the one that is working best. I am detail oriented and currently experiencing an obsession with giant sea clams. I tend to be quite critical of my art and often have to take a step back to see it with new eyes. I'll take a daily gym break and then have project meetings with clients and collaborators. Then, by the evening, all the pieces come together somehow and the process continues.
What is the essential element in your art?
It is always the central figure: the Woman. The metaphorical warrior goddess. Her hair is her adornment. Her clothing is her armor. Her battles often go unseen.
In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society?
The artist should always be curious and question everything around us. Our role is to hold a mirror up to society to reflect conscious and subconscious realities. I depict women from a position of strength, optimism, joy and triumph. And they end up becoming self-portraits, somehow.
