CHRISTINA NWABUGO

So pleased to share my brand new digital cover for @objectandtheory featuring the esteemed pottery artist, Mr Ibukun Ayoola, founder of Atamara pottery village. This article is very much live and it’s very different—it’s a journey through south-western Nigeria. I went with an editorial mission and began to think about what it means to “Strengthen your discovery”. Enjoy the visual field notes on why physical therapy is the foundation for creative liberation. Produced by Wali Eshinlokun. Clink the link in my bio 🔗🪷🐚

Visual notes on strengthening your discovery. Recently I travelled to Atamora pottery village, Erin Ijesha waterfall, Idanre hills and Osun Osogbo sacred grove. These trips turned into hikes, live history sessions and taught me to move through discomfort and decision making, which we all know as creatives can be a big thing! Anyway I hope you love my thoughts 💭 🪷🪨🕯️

Patterns of Hope: The Gambia, our new global series spotlighting the survivors and activists of Female Genital Mutilation and their stories. Pleased to share our portraits and interview featuring Fatima Gomez. It was an honor to share space with Fatima and learn about a practice that is deeply traumatic. 51% of young girls under the age of 14 are at risk of FGM in The Gambia. Fatima Gomez is fighting back through law school, advocacy, and solidarity with survivors. Gomez discusses joining the justice system, defending bodily autonomy, and how sisterhood is dismantling centuries of harm—one girl at a time. Executive producer: Usen Esiet Creative producer: Wali Eshinlokun Photography & Design by me The mission we embarked on as a team with UNFPA The Gambia was very deep and detailed, please take time to learn more about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the implications and why using our platforms is essential to joining this mission towards Zero Tolerance.

@objectandtheory is my new design salon a media space for makers, archivists, material enthusiasts, positioning the voices shaping contemporary culture. So happy to share nearly 1,000 subscribers have joined my SubStack mailing list [Link in bio], and the messages have been overwhelming: this space is needed. I paused the project before to build other people’s visions, but the real work, the stories, the images, the research, and the sentiment, lives here. We explore: design as culture, heritage as methodology, objects as theory, people as the archive, Africa and its diaspora as a creative engine, the earth and materiality, and the future of taste and creative leadership. This is a media platform, not a mood board, essays, digital digests, short films, field notes, interviews, and the build-up toward Issue One, a hardback hybrid book-magazine arriving in 2026. Intentional, honest, beautifully made, and rooted in culture. This is Object & Theory. (This is not the official cover 😏) I use @figma to build my spreads.

Chapter two of Ïhe Oherë intentionally explores the significance of our journey towards making and living amongst Design offerings, emphasizing how our backgrounds and collective experiences shape these relationships. This chapter beautifully explores how historical narratives influence our understanding of form and function. Through photographs and oral histories documented, I have created pivotal moments that highlight these offerings. The intimate nature of the creators work reflects a deep appreciation for cultural and historical contexts that inform design. My commitment to this exploration showcases how making is an innate offering to this world. Image commissioned by Kinfolk magazine—Issue 53 🌀 The Vaughan-Richards residence, courtesy of Ms. Remi Vaughan-Richards 🌀 In loving memory of Mr Alan & Mrs Ayo 💐 Feeling very proud, can’t wait for you all to see.

Ïhe Oherë chapter two is underway, titled “DESIGN OFFERINGS”. Featuring incredible new stories. Introducing the legendary muse and creator Ms Remi Vaughan-Richards (Akinsemoyin). Queen Faaji of Ikoyi. To be in her space is to be blessed and adorned with knowledge on Nigerian history and origins of design. This story means so much to me, because her home is more than the name, the family’s abode is a symbol of natures collaboration, identity and divine relationships. I can’t wait for you to read it all, everything shall be revealed in due time. Produced by Wali Adeleke. Muse Ms Remi Vaughan-Richards. 🌀 @ihe.ohere

Ïhe & Oherë website is finally live and ready for you all to have a read. Launching on earth day 🌍 is very on brand. Basking in my gifts of being multidimensional and truly taking it one step at a time. One day I’m a writer, an explorer, a curator and a photographer. All things are great and contribute to the most meaningful version of me—Christina. Take a moment, read and digest slowly, ask questions, please sign up and of course follow @ihe.ohere 🌀 Best experienced via desktop.

A moment looking at Gods wonders, Calabar river - Nigeria 2023.

🌿 Embracing my thoughts on Natures design 🌿 In the midst of Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes, I find solace and inspiration in the verdant city of Nairobi. Continuously seeking the connection between our African heritage and nature, I notice Kenya’s outwardly appreciation for biodiversity. Through conversations with myself and friends, I’ve found immense encouragement to continue documenting my journeys, showing off my green gaze. Still, there’s work to be done. Blackness and nature should not be seen as separate entities, but rather as symbiotic forces intertwined in the veins of our existence. Our stories are not an afterthought. I am reminding myself that I have multiple interests that compliment each other and as I dive deeper, it’s only right to lens human focused stories whilst giving a stage for the same ecosystem which gives us life.

More than 200 million girls and women are survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Today, chapter one of our campaign goes live on UNFPA’s homepage, marking a significant milestone in our journey. I am immensely proud of the resilient women with whom we had the honor of working closely. ‘I want to be the last woman on Earth to go through this painful practice’ — Mumina Jirmo, Mother, Activist and Survivor. Ending FGM transcends individualism. Powerhouses like Mumina implore cutters in Kenya to halt this harmful tradition. Chapter one unfolds in Isiolo, Kenya, a land steeped in culture, faith, and entrepreneurship. Working alongside Mumina and the women of Women’s Rights Initiative, I delved into their world of feminine intimacy and profound concerns. Each photograph echoes the urgency of our mission. May our collective efforts and conversations on the website ignite change. Stay tuned for the upcoming film. I’m proud to announce that this chapter, ‘Just like any other girl,’ is now live on the UNFPA website (link in my bio)! Client and Executive Producer: Usen Esiet at UNFPA HQ Producer: Wali Adeleke at N&W Studios Local Officials: Irene at UNFPA Kenya Local Production: Golden Zeal

#DesignSpaces: Lagos 📍We asked photographer, director and researcher, @bynwabugo (Christina Nwabugo) to share her favorite spots in the extraordinary Nigerian city: ✨ @clay_of_lagos , a studio with classes dedicated to ceramic art ✨ @lekkiconservationcentre , a conservation center with a breathtaking tree canopy walkway (photo by @mrp84t ) ✨ @alaralagos , a luxury fashion and lifestyle store with a contemporary African restaurant ✨ @lekkiartmarket , a national favorite featuring the work of Nigerian artisans ✨ @jazzholelagos , a hole-in-the-wall book and record store for literature and jazz lovers ✨ @16by16 , a design-focused boutique hotel ✨ @omenkagallery , a gallery focused on contemporary art from Africa and the diaspora Photos by @bynwabugo (Christina Nwabugo) #DesignSpaces #Lagos #LagosLife #Nigeria #AfricanArt

Their youth and sheer happiness to be alive and joyous was heartwarming. I wasn’t there for the instant gratification, I was there to just be, to listen, to share and most importantly make them laugh. As the cameras were rolling I had the opportunity to witness character defining moments. I have darkened the image to protect their joyous & young spirits.