Meet Ugo Agoruah

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ugo Agoruah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ugo, what matters most to you?
I would say the principle of cultivation. Cultivation is showing up and working towards whatever it is that you want to see in your life, whether it be a change from a bad habit to a good habit or a friendship or love. Cultivation is the key principal you must have everything. You don’t have to be everything yet l. You don’t have to have everything, but when you know where you wanna be or where you wanna go, you cultivate. As you continue cultivating in your life, showing up, doing a little bit each and every day, you get closer and closer to the idea of where you’re supposed to be. So I’d say cultivation is important. And within cultivation, discipline, the discipline to keep showing up for whatever it is that you’re trying to cultivate. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t cultivate community. Supporting those around me that I believe in and giving flowers where ever I could to those that sparked something in me allowed me and then get that reciprocated back to me allowed me to build a genuine support system.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m proud of the work that I can do when I bring together the people that I admire. I’m most proud when I see people giving there all towards their work, and it amazes me when they are willing to put the energy towards a project that I have. Everyone has their strong suits and we create a bigger and brighter picture once everyone focuses on what they’re good at and all allows everyone else to space to do what they do. Recently, I curated an exhibition called Figure Study & What It’s Worth. A curated selection of works from a distinguished group of artists, exploring themes of the human form, mastery, and artistic value. An experience and conversation that brings the community into the creative process behind the practice of figure study. I must say that the artist and the muses that came together for the exhibition blew me away. Amber a.k.a. Azula, Sheri Shanese aka Attunemeant, Roman, Coco, Montez Bernard, Chloe Belizaire, Nubia, Jamecia Jackson, Don Robson, Kris Kava, Muhammad Suber, Taz The Artist, Ahad Pace, John Glover, Jordan Brown, Rashad Andre, Major, Todd, and Kym showed me a lot of love. I wouldn’t have had such a beautiful opening reception without them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m no tour guide honestly I don’t do too much outing outside of the different art events I go to, so I would like to skip skip this question, but I will say Miya Bailey’s Peters Street Station and it’s affiliated gallery’s are great spots to check out. The high museum, Gallery 992 of course. Slutty vegan as well as Tassili’s are great food spots. Once I find a good place to go horse back riding, I’ll let you know.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many that I can give flowers to. I definitely couldn’t get here by myself so I have to give thanks to my family, of course, first and foremost, but not just my blood family, my spiritual family, my chosen family those have come from circumstance and and discernible action. Gallery 992 owned by Kebbi Williams has been a great space to cultivate community. I started coming there over six years ago to attend the event called StillLife Sessions created by Ron Smith and run by Thom Bess, Salakida, and at the time Alan Grimes. This was the first space that felt like a creative home for me. They were accepting and loving, and what we had there felt like communion. It felt like the refilling of the spirit, the creative spirit. Creative collaboration between the mix of artists, muses, photographer, & patrons. Ray Lewis and Suga Cane Syrup give me support that I didn’t know I needed. They gave me a physical home for my art, & for my body as well through use of his studio at the ArtsXchange. Talk about community, that place breaths it. Fellow artists Markeidric Walker & Eme Omeh became a brothers of mine. Each allowing me to create in communion with them and challenging me to see myself even greater. Curators who have seen me and shown their belief in me through placement of my work, words of encouragement and mentorship, or downright just being a good friend include the likes of Brit Sade, P Hollywood, Courtney Brooks, Eugene Byrd, Stretch, & Lauren Tate Baeza. There are more but I feel like I’ve gone away a bit already.

Website: dot.cards/ugoagoruah

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugo_agoruah?igsh=dWJka2FubDJtOXF0

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ugo-agoruah-483260131

Image Credits
Rashad Andre, Todd Barron, Iyahdae, Amber Gary