Odili Donald Odita Quotes
born 1966 Nigeria
Odili Donald Odita (born 18 February 1966) is a Nigerian American abstract painter who lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Random Odili Donald Odita quote
18 quotes
I think that people really care about America in different ways, [but] there is a lot of misunderstanding.
For me those colors are synonymous to people, to ideas, to cultures, to identities.
There are colors that are close to each other but different and then there are colors that are very different.
It’s about how they coexist in this space and how they harmonize together, [and how those] differences bring the painting together.
One has to understand the context from which the person is speaking, and the platform from which they’re addressing their references.
It’s amazing to see that the city of Philadelphia is organizing on so many levels to speak to America about the independence of America.
I’ll be happy if [when we] look back on this time,that I can say that I did my part as an artist.
If something is defined and absolute in a locked box, then we are always going to have to change our shape to fit that box.
I think that one of the greatest things about America is that it is a dream that is unrealized forever for me.
For me, I’m just happy to be a part of all of this.
For those doors to be closed by a small group of people without consideration of the history of how America allowed their families to come into this place is absolutely shameful — and I don’t want to live in shame, or other people’s shame.
Art was an avenue for understanding the world and so many different facets of the world I was growing up in.
Rather than limit our interpretations of artworks to the restrictive lens of Western art history, it would be better to ask, ‘What are [these artists] actually talking about? Where does this sound, this visual vibration, come from?
Odili Donald Odita-DACID KORDANSKY GALLERY (2026)
My piece is an image that is on one hand whole, on another, has this line through it that [makes it look] like it’s slipping or falling apart.
At first, I couldn’t believe we were having this second coming and onslaught against our rights in the U.S.; I’m still trying to understand.
Both my parents passed away last year, but in their letters and what they said to us all throughout the years is that they were welcomed by people here.
I’m not taking for granted my luck and success that I’ve had in this country, because my parents took the risk to come to this country … and [be part of] this idea of America.
Growing up in America as a refugee from Nigeria during the Biafran War, I was learning about America and acclimating to America through art — television, comic books, things of that nature.