ROM

Statement

My art is a reflection of my personal journey, shaped by resilience, healing, and empowerment. Growing up in Nigeria, in a large family of 13 with limited resources, I learned the value of hard work early on, supporting myself through various jobs to pursue an education. In my late twenties, I discovered art as a means of expression and therapy during the pandemic. My self-taught practice became a sanctuary where I could channel complex emotions, including the challenges I’ve faced with bipolar disorder. Art, for me, is not just a medium of creation but a space for transformation, where I turn struggle into strength.

Through my work, I explore themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment—particularly through the lens of women’s experiences. My ongoing series, My Lady Series, celebrates the resilience of women, using symbolic imagery to tell stories of empowerment in the face of adversity. My creative practice also extends beyond the studio, as I engage in outreach to orphanages, using art as a tool for healing and self-discovery.

I believe in the power of art to heal, to inspire, and to transform lives. My journey from survival to self-expression, coupled with my belief in the importance of personal growth, fuels the messages of strength and self-empowerment in my work.

GlogauAIR Project

‘My Lady Series: Homecoming’ is an ambitious project that explores the intricate layers of identity, empowerment, and cultural heritage. Through a blend of traditional and digital mediums, ROM crafts powerful narratives of women as they reclaim their roots, embrace resilience, and celebrate their journeys of self-discovery. This series is not just a celebration of womanhood but a global dialogue about belonging, strength, and healing. ROM also incorporates her advocacy into this project by working with children in orphanages, spreading her vision of art as a tool for emotional healing and empowerment.

‘Homecoming’ is an invitation to viewers around the world to reflect on their own identities and the universal need to find strength in one’s story.

CV Summary

Name

ROM (Rebecca Obiageli Madu, also known as Madinah ROM)

Education

• BSc in Mass Communication, National Open University of Nigeria (Completed 2019)

Art Projects and Exhibitions

• ‘Shifting Identity’ (Exhibited at MACFEST, University of Salford) 2024
• ‘My Lady Series: Homecoming’ (Ongoing project exploring women’s empowerment)
• ‘Nigeria Music at 70’ Art Exhibition 2024

Residencies

• Online Artist Residency, GlogauAir Berlin

Professional Experience

• Housekeeper: Supported education by working in homes, demonstrating determination and work ethic (2004–2012)
• Brand Promotional Model: Gained experience in public engagement and representation (2012–2016)
• TV Presenter: Developed communication and storytelling skills through hosting programs (2016–2019)
• Self-taught Artist: Dedicated practice to digital and traditional art, focused on self-expression, healing, and empowerment (2020–Present)
• Digital Fashion Illustrator: Worked on digital designs and illustrations for clients (2021–Present)
• Online Art Tutor: Provided virtual art lessons to students worldwide, focusing on technique and creativity (2023–Present)
• Taekwondo Instructor: Taught discipline, resilience, and empowerment through martial arts (2024–Present)

Other Achievements

• Senior Blue Belt in Taekwondo, showcasing discipline and perseverance
• 10KM Lagos State Marathon Runner, Silver Medalist, demonstrating resilience and determination
• Caretaker and manager of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s property, where I also have my studio located in Lagos.

Skills and Interests

• Martial arts, Yoga meditation, swimming, and Marathon running.
• Digital and traditional painting, storytelling, art therapy, and cultural empowerment
• Passion for outreach and advocacy, using art to inspire and heal

Gallery