Tell us about yourself:
Hi there! My name is Oreoluwa (Ore) Johnson and as a typical Nigerian with many names, I also go by ChiChi, hence why my art space is called ChiDesignedIt.
I’m a Nigerian-British storyteller from East London who has a passion for creating and telling stories that make people feel through film and art.
ChiDesignedIt is minimalist art of great moments in Film and TV and of black culture, showcasing iconic shows such as Martin and legendary musicians like Al Green.
This passion grew from my main passion for filmmaking. I am also an aspiring director and producer and hope to tell many amazing stories. People may not remember the faces in films or the shapes in my art but they will most definitely remember how it made them feel.
That is my ultimate goal.
What is the inspiration behind your poster design?
Melanin abundance.
Melanin, meaning a pigment that gives colour to skin and eyes. Abundance means a very large quantity of something.
That is the meaning. To showcase the vast beauty of black (or melanated) people despite the negative tropes. Minimalist art proves that ‘less is more’ and through this minimalist piece and those two words, I have shown the excellence of black people and culture. From our lips, hips, and hair, such beauty cannot be ignored.
Why do you love being creative?
Everything.
There is so much freedom and expression in creativity. There are no limits and in a society that appears rigid, with its rules and construction, creativity is revolutionary and also welcomes new experiences.
I believe that being creative or my creativity in general is God’s gift. The way it impacts others and makes them feel, gives me joy.
Tell us about your experiences in the design world…
It’s hard. But the journey so far has shown that nothing is impossible, it’s just unfortunate that I’ve had to put in double the time and effort than the average person..
How can we create a more inclusive design world and ensure that Black people are represented?
See art as art and not race before art.
In general… How can we make more equity or equality for us?
We can do this by showing love. Love is kind, patient, isn’t jealous or boastful or proud, does not demand its way, isn’t irritable, keeps no record of being wronged, and doesn’t rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. That’s where we start and end, love.
