Frances Olive Ibielolyia Oruene-Harris is a multi-media artist. Who often uses audio and video to create installations but on occasion can be found working with Text, Photography, Textiles and Mixed Media. Her works are heavily influenced by her own reality as a Queer, Woman of Colour with Mixed Heritage, born and raised in East London.
From a young age Frances experienced her intersectional identity clash, sometimes – violently, with her not-so-welcoming environment. An environment that often muzzled and alienated those it didn’t accept. The frustration from being silenced and made to feel isolated was the catalyst leading to her using creative processes as a form of expressing and connecting with others.
Later her practice developed as a means to question and explore the everyday normalised aspects of society. She could simply be reading, having a conversation, view an exchange between people, taking a walk, etc. Then a question would arise either in the middle of what was happening or as an after thought. Things like “Why is the written word held with a higher value then oral tradition, even though the written word isn’t infallible?” “How do social interactions reinforce toxic positivity?” “How did that get up there?” “What about this interaction is disturbingly accepted and why is it disturbing?”
Out of these questions that come up Frances then chooses the one that doesn’t appear to be being asked as much or the one that has a great sense of importance to the present but isn’t appearing to be heard or seen.
After choosing her subject, she goes on to do research which sometimes may end up being a part of the art work itself. Other times, the research will lead to experiments. These she goes on to further develop. Carefully thinking about the mood, Frances will choose the materials best to represent the topic in a manner that would not distort what she is trying to put across to the viewer or materials that have reference to the topic to provide a level of intimate connection.
In her current project “The Facade, Trauma and Toxic Positivity” she is exploring the performative aspects of social interactions. Whether the social conditioned need for constant positivity makes people blind to the trauma of those they interactive with. And the toll it can take on the person performing.
She approaches this topic with a particular ethos in mind. Frances sees Art as more than what is aesthetically pleasing or something to solve. In her own words “It can heal, it can build bridges and aid communication with people. And even go on to create a safe haven”
It’s also with this spirit that she has established an annual pop-up event called “The MidSummer Soiree” which provided a supportive space for artists to exhibit their work, perform and network in July 2019.
Currently, Frances is about to graduate from London Met; The CASS with a BA in Fine Art. She plans to continue to create shows such as The MidSummer Soiree, providing platforms for creatives.
Frances O-H Arts 