Amarachi Odimba

Why FSU?

I applied for a graduate degree at FSU to gain specialized training and create meaningful change through my art. The research-driven Department of Art has a supportive faculty and environment to refine my practice and engage in critical conversations. The program’s interdisciplinary structure also allows for experimentation and offers teaching experience in preparation for my academic career.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My research sheds light on the complexities of identity, cultural memory, and migration as a Nigerian, offering a visual language to articulate the often-overlooked emotional and psychological dimensions of displacement. By transforming an everyday object into a symbol of resilience and adaptation, my work fosters critical conversations on the human experience, challenges perceptions of belonging, and examines the socio-economic histories tied to movement through a personal and collective lens.

Career aspirations

I aim to develop a strong and prolific studio practice that fosters critical conversations around societal issues and the human experience. I aspire to be a professor of art, contributing to academic discourse by mentoring emerging artists and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to art and research.

Who has been most influential in your graduate journey and why?

The most influential figures in my graduate journey are my mentors, professors, and peers who have challenged me to expand my conceptual and material approaches. Also, the everyday people I meet while commuting, the people of Tallahassee, and my experience of belonging to a new community have shaped my work by influencing my storytelling, blending personal and collective narratives.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Graduate school is a great opportunity to pursue your interests and grow. Choose a program that aligns with your goals, work hard and belong to a supportive community. Evidently, it is a challenging feat, but greatly rewarding and enjoyable.