Gele Artwork

Bernice Udeogu, a self-taught contemporary artist originally from Nigeria, now calls London, Ontario, Canada, home. Born with an innate desire to create, she chose to wield her art as a tool for spreading joy and fostering connections. Despite lacking encouragement for her artistic dreams in her upbringing, Bernice discovered early on the joy of transforming everyday materials into art. Whether sculpting with wet mud after a rainy day, sewing Barbie outfits with cloth scraps from her mum’s tailorings, or writing music, she embraced her unique perspective, refusing to conform to what society dictates as beautiful. Following her graduation with a degree in Journalism and Communication, Bernice briefly explored the corporate journalism world as an on-air personality. However, she quickly realized it wasn't her true calling. Relocating to Canada to pursue further education opened up a new canvas for her, free from the constraints of familiar surroundings. Inspired by her rich Nigerian heritage and her personal experiences as a black immigrant woman, Bernice infuses her art with themes of love, nature, womanhood, blackness, and spirituality. Her mission? To create art that not only elicits joy and challenges stereotypes but also celebrates the beauty of difference. Committed to authenticity and storytelling, Bernice continually evolves as an artist, pushing boundaries and daring to redefine narratives. Her ultimate goal? To create art that captivates the senses, sparks meaningful dialogue, inspires positive social change, and acknowledges a power greater than ourselves.