Info

Updated 01/14/2025

To understand Florian Okwu’s work, one must consider his origin: Born in San Francisco to Nigerian/British & German/American parents, there is no ethnicity with which he truly feels community. Raised in both Shanghai & Los Angeles attending French International schools, there is no culture or location in which he truly feels at home...

Florian’s work exists outside the bounds of traditional identity, it is non-specific and accounts for the existentialism that permeates every curious person, grounded not just in human nature but the culture of Life itself. Although he refrains from seeing his works as literal explorations of concept, he uses each piece to physically prove the emotions, ambitions and curiosities of his lived experience.

Florian is fascinated by dreams, nightmares, the question of trusting his mind or heart, fate, permanence, symmetry...

If you would like to learn more please contact:

studio@florianokwu.com

@okflo

Group Exhibitions
04/2024 - NCND, Woods-Gerry Gallery, Providence RI

04/2024 - Black Biennial, Gelman Gallery, Providence RI

02/2024 - Living Urn, Gelman Gallery, Providence RI

01/2024 - Rubrica, Gelman Gallery, Providence RI

11/2023 - Sculpture Triennial, Woods-Gerry Gallery, Providence RI

08/2023 - Communing with Nature, CSSC Nature Trail, W. Rutland VT

07/2023 - Release Point, Gordan Marshall Coping Shop, W. Rutland VT

05/2023 - Dogs Breakfast, Weybosset St Gallery, Providence RI

04/2022 - Small Works Show, Memorial Hall, Providence RI

03/2022 - The Stories Objects Tell, Joukowsky Institute for Archeology, Providence RI

EducationRhode Island School of Design, BFA Sculpture 2021-2024

Emerson College, BA Business of Creative Enterprising 2018-2020 (transfer)

Lycee International de Los Angeles, International Baccalaureate 2013-2018

Work Experience
Independent Fine Artist - Self-Employed - 06/2022 to Present

Woodshop & Coldshop Monitor - Rhode Island School of Design - 01/2023 to 06/2024

Resident Intern - Carving Studio & Sculpture Center - 06/2023 to 09/2023

Creative Director - TradeUp - 05/2022 to 11/2023

Design Consultant - Cultray Venray - 11/2019 to 12/2019