ANYA-ANWU
2019 | 20” x 30" | Ink, Gouache and 24k Gold Leaf on Archival Paper
Ányá (Eye) + Ánwụ́ (Sun/Light) means "eye of light." Anya-Anwu, a deity of the Nri people, symbolizes the pursuit of human perfection through self-understanding. The Nri sought self-perfection via spiritual practices like Star Gazing (Astrology), Chanting, and Meditation. The Nri kingdom, a significant Igbo civilization in southeastern Nigeria since the 9th century, shaped the spiritual traditions of Igbo and neighboring groups. Their ontology closely aligns with modern concepts of spiritual enlightenment, emphasizing self-awareness that transcends religion, culture, and politics, rooted in truth.
This piece is an iconographic representation of Anya-Anwu. It reveals a deity with a halo of sun rays and the symbol of the all-seeing eye above its heart. Anya-Anwu is evidence that pre-euronized Igbos had an evolved understanding of the concept of self-realization. The Nri people understood that without the Sun there’d be no light/life on our planet. Anya-Anwu reminds us to find the light in ourselves; for without looking inward to attain enlightenment, we’ll continue to live in perpetual darkness about who we are and why we are here.
