Common Ground: Art From Within & Nigerian American storyteller Okokon Udo

Season 5, Episode 15

A Nigerian immigrant presents a one man show that examines the effects of colonial oppression and artist Mike Lemon highlights the role of art in helping a person make a better life.

An artist who has “done time” tells what art has come to mean to him and explains its importance in helping others to understand both his culture and his God. Michael Lemon is the featured artist at the ACLU’s 4thexhibition in Bemidji. Art from Within began by promoting art from Native Americans who were incarcerated but has expanded its remit to include other artists whose work may not otherwise get publicized.

In part two of the show, which also takes place in Bemidji, Nigerian American storyteller Okokon Udo uses the art form of theatre to tell a very personal memoir which reflects how he feels colonialism has impacted his own people. Spoken memoir coach Christine McHugh discusses the use of masks by Udo to carry the motif of oppression.

Originally aired on February 6th at 7PM on Lakeland Prime.