Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague

Akprara Amos Osakor

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague

Akprara Amos Osakor^*

Published in American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 1 December 2025 Accepted: 22 December 2025 Published: 19 January 2026

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Abstract

This paper discusses recycling of “off-cut” fabrics as materials for mixed-media collage-making activities centred on Osague Osagiede Paulina; the Nigerian Female avant-garde artist. With the aid of the internet, journals, books and others, the collage activities of some female artists - Sienna Martz, Kara Williams, Wangechi Mutu and, Njideka Akunyili Crosby - were studied to point out some related patterns, similarities of concept and materiality to Osague’s. For the purpose of this study, the Judgemental sampling technique was used in selecting sixteen (16) mixed-media collages from Osague’s oeuvres. Those selected were analysed revealing some of the philosophy and passion underpinnings her creating collages based on her childhood memories. The descriptive/narrative readings of the (16) collages - as visual-data - was achieved with the following themes - playful times; alone and together and, so on. In conclusion, this paper is of the view that Osague’s collages are significant contributions in narration of the “story” of a resolute artist who, being female, faces a number of challenges masked in social-constraints; of identity; emotional abuses; depravity and others. This paper recommends the collage-making approaches of this artist should be adopted by knowledge seekers in art and design as a resource material in teaching, learning and research in sustainable environmental practices.

Published in	American Journal of Art and Design (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
Page(s)	11-18
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Recycling, Femininity, Collage, Off-cut-Fabrics, Mixed-media, Contemporary

References

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[2]	Akpojor, M. Nigerian Visual Artist Uses Scraps of ‘Ankara’ Fabric to Create Collages. Available at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=04iOsCPuM24 (05/07/2025. 9.10am).
[3]	Beach, C. (2024, August 16). Fiber Artist Sienna Martz takes a stand against secondhand Materials. https://www.printmag.com/designer-profiles/sienna-martz (Accessed on 13/12/2025. 2.12pm).
[4]	Gamboa, C. (2024, August 27). Sienna Martz’s Ethical Life-Practice. Available online at: https://whhitehotmagazine.com/articles/martz-s-ethical0life-practic/6541 (Accessed on 13/12/2025. 2.20pm).
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[9]	Hessel, K. (2022). (Curator). From near and far: Collage and Figuration in the Contemporary Age. Available online at: https://www.stephenfriedman.com/exhibitions/163-from-near-and-far-collage-and-figuration-in (Accessed on 13/12/2025. 3.30pm).
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[13]	Lawrence, D. (2020). 5 Contemporary Black Female Artists using paper and Collage in their Art Practice. Available online at: https://www.artandpatterns.com/post/list-of-brilliant-black-visual-artists-using-paper-as-medium-and-materials-in-their-artwork (Accessed on 13/12/2025. 5.250pm).
[14]	Mallikarjun, C. B. (2024). Collage Art: In the Context of Contemporary Aspirations. International Education and Research Journal, Vol. 10 No. 9 (2024): September Issue. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.21276/IERJ24392180470757
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APA Style

Osakor, A. A. (2026). Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. American Journal of Art and Design, 11(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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Osakor, A. A. Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. Am. J. Art Des. 2026, 11(1), 11-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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AMA Style

Osakor AA. Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. Am J Art Des. 2026;11(1):11-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12,
  author = {Akprara Amos Osakor},
  title = {Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20261101.12},
  abstract = {This paper discusses recycling of “off-cut” fabrics as materials for mixed-media collage-making activities centred on Osague Osagiede Paulina; the Nigerian Female avant-garde artist. With the aid of the internet, journals, books and others, the collage activities of some female artists - Sienna Martz, Kara Williams, Wangechi Mutu and, Njideka Akunyili Crosby - were studied to point out some related patterns, similarities of concept and materiality to Osague’s. For the purpose of this study, the Judgemental sampling technique was used in selecting sixteen (16) mixed-media collages from Osague’s oeuvres. Those selected were analysed revealing some of the philosophy and passion underpinnings her creating collages based on her childhood memories. The descriptive/narrative readings of the (16) collages - as visual-data - was achieved with the following themes - playful times; alone and together and, so on. In conclusion, this paper is of the view that Osague’s collages are significant contributions in narration of the “story” of a resolute artist who, being female, faces a number of challenges masked in social-constraints; of identity; emotional abuses; depravity and others. This paper recommends the collage-making approaches of this artist should be adopted by knowledge seekers in art and design as a resource material in teaching, learning and research in sustainable environmental practices.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague
AU  - Akprara Amos Osakor
Y1  - 2026/01/19
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
JO  - American Journal of Art and Design
SP  - 11
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7802
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
AB  - This paper discusses recycling of “off-cut” fabrics as materials for mixed-media collage-making activities centred on Osague Osagiede Paulina; the Nigerian Female avant-garde artist. With the aid of the internet, journals, books and others, the collage activities of some female artists - Sienna Martz, Kara Williams, Wangechi Mutu and, Njideka Akunyili Crosby - were studied to point out some related patterns, similarities of concept and materiality to Osague’s. For the purpose of this study, the Judgemental sampling technique was used in selecting sixteen (16) mixed-media collages from Osague’s oeuvres. Those selected were analysed revealing some of the philosophy and passion underpinnings her creating collages based on her childhood memories. The descriptive/narrative readings of the (16) collages - as visual-data - was achieved with the following themes - playful times; alone and together and, so on. In conclusion, this paper is of the view that Osague’s collages are significant contributions in narration of the “story” of a resolute artist who, being female, faces a number of challenges masked in social-constraints; of identity; emotional abuses; depravity and others. This paper recommends the collage-making approaches of this artist should be adopted by knowledge seekers in art and design as a resource material in teaching, learning and research in sustainable environmental practices.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Akprara Amos Osakor

Department of Fine Arts and Industrial Design, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0009-5565-7062

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APA Style

Osakor, A. A. (2026). Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. American Journal of Art and Design, 11(1), 11-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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ACS Style

Osakor, A. A. Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. Am. J. Art Des. 2026, 11(1), 11-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

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AMA Style

Osakor AA. Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague. Am J Art Des. 2026;11(1):11-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12,
  author = {Akprara Amos Osakor},
  title = {Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague},
  journal = {American Journal of Art and Design},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {11-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajad.20261101.12},
  abstract = {This paper discusses recycling of “off-cut” fabrics as materials for mixed-media collage-making activities centred on Osague Osagiede Paulina; the Nigerian Female avant-garde artist. With the aid of the internet, journals, books and others, the collage activities of some female artists - Sienna Martz, Kara Williams, Wangechi Mutu and, Njideka Akunyili Crosby - were studied to point out some related patterns, similarities of concept and materiality to Osague’s. For the purpose of this study, the Judgemental sampling technique was used in selecting sixteen (16) mixed-media collages from Osague’s oeuvres. Those selected were analysed revealing some of the philosophy and passion underpinnings her creating collages based on her childhood memories. The descriptive/narrative readings of the (16) collages - as visual-data - was achieved with the following themes - playful times; alone and together and, so on. In conclusion, this paper is of the view that Osague’s collages are significant contributions in narration of the “story” of a resolute artist who, being female, faces a number of challenges masked in social-constraints; of identity; emotional abuses; depravity and others. This paper recommends the collage-making approaches of this artist should be adopted by knowledge seekers in art and design as a resource material in teaching, learning and research in sustainable environmental practices.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Collage as a Sustainable Environmental Practice - Centred on Nigerian Female Avant-Garde Artist Osague
AU  - Akprara Amos Osakor
Y1  - 2026/01/19
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
T2  - American Journal of Art and Design
JF  - American Journal of Art and Design
JO  - American Journal of Art and Design
SP  - 11
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-7802
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajad.20261101.12
AB  - This paper discusses recycling of “off-cut” fabrics as materials for mixed-media collage-making activities centred on Osague Osagiede Paulina; the Nigerian Female avant-garde artist. With the aid of the internet, journals, books and others, the collage activities of some female artists - Sienna Martz, Kara Williams, Wangechi Mutu and, Njideka Akunyili Crosby - were studied to point out some related patterns, similarities of concept and materiality to Osague’s. For the purpose of this study, the Judgemental sampling technique was used in selecting sixteen (16) mixed-media collages from Osague’s oeuvres. Those selected were analysed revealing some of the philosophy and passion underpinnings her creating collages based on her childhood memories. The descriptive/narrative readings of the (16) collages - as visual-data - was achieved with the following themes - playful times; alone and together and, so on. In conclusion, this paper is of the view that Osague’s collages are significant contributions in narration of the “story” of a resolute artist who, being female, faces a number of challenges masked in social-constraints; of identity; emotional abuses; depravity and others. This paper recommends the collage-making approaches of this artist should be adopted by knowledge seekers in art and design as a resource material in teaching, learning and research in sustainable environmental practices.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download