Mesoma Hammida Onyeagba
About the Create! Magazine 10th Anniversary Book: Create! Magazine is honored to celebrate a decade of contemporary art by publishing a look back at previously selected artists: their achievements, career growth, and more since being published. Stay tuned for the book launch in fall 2026, and join our newsletter to stay up to date.
Mesoma Hammida Onyeagba (b. Nigeria, Port Harcourt), featured in both Create! Magazine and the Create! Magazine 10th Anniversary Book, is an interdisciplinary artist based in the New York/New Jersey area who explores painting, textiles, and fashion-based art. Drawing from her Nigerian heritage, Onyeagba transforms discarded fabrics into cherished artifacts that carry histories, memories, and personal narratives. With a BFA from the University of Ottawa (2022) and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) (2024), Onyeagba redefines traditional notions of beauty by advocating for the appreciation of upcycled art and aesthetics.
Onyeagba’s work delves into the dynamic interplay of form, color, and pattern, exploring themes of movement, fluidity, and tranquility within the context of clothing, tapestries, and quilts. Informed by personal narratives and collaborative creativity, Onyeagba aims to inspire, innovate, and connect, engaging viewers on a sensory level through familiar imagery, identity exploration, and vibrant color interactions. She emphasizes material collection and representational art.
Her works have been featured in solo and group exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally, including at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art, Arts14c, and Ottawa Art Gallery, TEDxUTAustin, etc. Her art is also held in private collections, including at The Bunker Artspace in West Palm Beach and the Consulate General of Finland in New York City. Onyeagba has been recognized with awards such as the Municipal Art League Fellowship Award and the Suzanne Rivard-Le Moyne Award. Her work has been highlighted in publications such as 1883 Magazine, New American Paintings, MFA Annual Issue, Vanguard News Nigeria, Business Insider, and Yale Daily News.
mesomaonyeagba.com
What themes or emotions are you exploring in your current work?
In my current work, I'm exploring themes of representation and magical realism with the aspiration of escaping through happiness: gratitude and celebration.
What does your creative process look like?
I spend time curating abandoned and imported floral-patterned fabrics from Nigeria and the States that will allow proper composition with the painted figures. As a frequent traveller, I reach out to Black women to help bring my paintings to life. My creative process is a balance between intuition and visual reasoning.
What inspires you outside of the visual arts?
Music is appreciated. Doodling while self-reflecting, philosophy on human nature/connecting, and my surroundings.
How do you balance personal expression with the business side of your career?
I balance my personal expression and the business side by letting my personality shine through in both. I try to have fun and overthink less. Mood boards and yearly color choices help me stay connected to my feelings and guide my artistic direction.
What do you hope viewers feel or take away from your work?
I value creating fictional worlds through my art, aiming to let viewers escape into each piece while celebrating iconic figures. My goal is to build immersive experiences that honor these figures within captivating, imagined realms.
