Migrations I

JUNE 2025 - 13/13 Sold
Mahogany, wenge, bloodwood
~ 8" x 2.5" x 4"

INTRODUCTION:

The Migrations collection feels like the product of accumulated efforts between 2023-2025 to develop and understand the purpose of these creatures in my artistic practice. What began as "Pets" in my earlier time at the Rhode Island School of Design; smaller, cuter, marketable sculptures, transformed into something separate as I grew alongside my work. This collection marks a signifigant shift from those earlier days to where I am now in 2026, as to why I've included them on my website as an official collection rather than separating them through my okflo alias.

The early days of Pets were popular, and in high demand I feel my artistic vision for them was slightly narrowed. I dealt with lots of inner turmoil about the distinction between "commercial" and "real" art during that period, and was still figuring out what either of those words meant (I still am, I think). “How much of myself and my authenticity am I willing to stretch for financial incentive?” This is too weighted a topic to fully cover in this introduction, but I'd argue that this question acted as a powerful agent in the origins of this new collection.

Very quickly after they were conceived, my Pets took on the role of objects meant to be sold due to their immediate and consistent appeal. The value was obvious as they offered me a profitable space to explore and experiment with wood types without large upfront costs or risk, and were small enough in size that I could get a feel of all working processes (from the smell of sawn wood to the way it sands and finishes) within several hours.

Because of their producability and demand, I've carved and sold well over 100 creatures since I started making them in 2023, without ever taking serious time to consider their role in my larger creative practice. This is something I reckoned with after graduation, while working on the "Providence Summer Collection", leading to some serious thoughts about why and what these "Pets" should be. The Migrations collection was a step back from what I was familiar with, and a re-consideration of their entire reason for being, allowing a dormant (or repressed) force to accelerate these pieces out of their role as domestic animals and into the wilderness...

MIGRATIONS I:

This collection represents both a new perspective, in the okflo - Florian Okwu distinction, as well as in relation to my actual making practice. The step away from the classically enjoyable simple pets with round backs and butts, circular legs, arched bellies and small heads allowed for evolution, and the adaptation of these creatures implied to me an entire artistic ecosystem in which they are contained, one directly linked to my own relationships with making and understanding of myself. This is what I mean when I describe an inner world or a bridge with reality: The development of roles, shapes, and aesthetic vocabulary in these creatures are products of my own reactions, learnings and drives as I navigate my relationship with creation and career. The striving-away-from repetition and over-commerciability is as foundational to the creatures forms as the pressing intentions for each piece.

"Migrations" represents a shift away from a younger self, extrinsic influences, and captures a (developing) refined perspective on the inner world I hope to create with my work. It showcases a collection of creatures who have undeniable roles and statuses; the makings of a small society who travel alongside me as I discover my intentions and still unprescribed meanings as an artist.

The birth of a new series seems, in my practice, to originate from these moments of clarity, when the reason for an object's existence suddenly makes complete sense. Migrations, as a title and category sets a precedent for me, and provides a basin in which I can pour this very specific creative energy, one that has been tilting and spilling for years, with intention towards an inspiring new direction.

Inquire

For general interests, please contact: studio@okflo.com