Fire, Ash, Stars
Ifeoma Peace Obiegbu
Published January 2025
Finding a space where you can truly exist and belong is a rare and precious thing. In a world that often feels fragmented, where expectations and pressures push us to conform, the search for a place - physical, spiritual, emotional, or social - where we can be our true, authentic selves can feel like an endless journey. A place where acceptance is not earned but freely given, where our identities are not questioned or minimised, is something many of us long for but struggle to find.
Curator, Kelly Dezart-Smith’s, exhibition, ‘Fire, Ash, Stars, I Attend to Survive’, draws on the dystopian ideation encapsulated in Octavia Butler’s novel ‘Parable of the Sower’ which takes place on the 20th of July 2024. ‘Fire, Ash, Stars’ opens up a space for us to exist, ponder on and explore the juxtaposition of our current reality with Butler’s futuristic, fictional one, placing viewers at the fore of today’s dystopian reality, and endowing feelings of hope and consolation through video, illustrative and poetry art installations by Aliyah Knight, Atong Atem, Jacob Coppedge and Nyaluak Leth.
Held at The Bearded Tit in Redfern, the exhibition showcases pieces inside and around the venue. Before even delving into the meaning of the bodies of work, viewers are already immersed in the exhibition as Dezart-Smith’s strategic placement of the works – with Nyaluak Moses Mayen Wan Leth’s (NMMWL) art displayed on the venue’s exterior – allows viewers’ experience of the exhibition to commence as soon as you first arrive outside of the venue. The whimsicality and intention of each piece’s placement set up the exhibition itself beautifully and is a sensational introduction to the exhibition.
The first piece by NMMWL, ‘KEEP ON, KEEP ON’, that is plastered on the side of The Bearded Tit is a paste-up and a captivating piece that speaks to all but centre black individuals. ‘KEEP ON, KEEP ON’ is an affirmation to simply continue, to envision a future of transcendence and to keep on going. With raw, unflinching language, it is a poetic protest that rejects the narrative that Black lives are destined to be overlooked, oppressed, or limited by a world that continually marginalises them. The work calls for a different vision – one where Black people aren’t bound by the biases that try to define them but are free to create their own futures on their own terms.
The second piece displayed as you enter The Bearded Tit placed, in the Streetspace Window is Atong Atem’s video work ‘Beneath the skin is a layer of grief (that doesn’t belong to you)’ and is positioned as the official invitation to the space. Atem conceptualises identity and self – keeping yourself intact during moments of change, staying true to what you know, what you are, and what you intend to be – utilising surreal techniques with colour and optics at the forefront while your mind reels on individuality. This body of work truly strikes a conversation on identity; Atem wields herself and subjects as a tool to redirect the thought back to you: who we are and how do we see ourselves?
As you continue to wander inside ‘The Tit’, right behind the bar on the Taxidermy TV is Aliyah Knight’s work ‘doomscrollin’, a 4-minute and 32-second video of poetry and animation. Knight’s work proves that she is a force to be reckoned with. ‘doomscrollin’ attests to society’s refractory way of dealing with the nihilistic attitude present amongst young people as a result of today’s ever-changing world. A multimedia piece that shows us how easily we can absorb the world’s pain just through our phones. Knight hits the very real nail on the head with this one; The constant bombardment of distressing material can desensitize people to suffering, normalise violence, and create a sense of helplessness or despair. Fueling that nihilistic drive in us - we cannot escape the darkness, so we become it.
Continuing the journey throughout the Bearded Tit you come across Jacob Coppedge’s ‘The Return of the Theia‘ on a wall in the Salon. An illustration exploding with greys and tinges of blue and yellow that depict the “voyage to the stars” is possible, and is completed. Just looking at the piece fills you with a warm sensation, you’re met with two beings engulfed by the universe holding onto each other - as if they were relieved they had finished their endeavour safely. The embrace shared by the two figures drawn by Coppedge is a true testament that we can get where we want to be, and it doesn’t have to be alone.
The final piece included in Fire, Ash, Stars circles back to NMMWL. The soundscape located in the bathrooms softly plays the words of her piece ‘Dissonance Through Times Ballad‘; a poetic telling of the fluid, evolving nature of the complex self. With every word, it unravels how our identities are shaped by a blend of heritage, experience, and a deeper, spiritual understanding of the world. Time, in this poem, is both a river we flow through and a circle we move within - where past, present, and future are always intertwined. NMMWL’s voice echoes with a sense of both rootedness and transformation, capturing the way spirituality anchors us while allowing us to evolve. It’s a powerful reminder that our stories are not linear, but layered and that through it all, we are part of something much larger than ourselves.
Each piece works in cooperation to bring to life the mind of Dezart-Smith. Through a diverse array of art, poetry, and multimedia pieces, it draws powerful comparisons between our world and that of Octavia Butlers and the individual pieces not only honour the resilience and unity that emerge in times of adversity but also invite us to broaden our perspectives, enhancing our comprehension of what it truly means to endure and survive. This exhibition serves as a profound reminder of our shared humanity, encouraging us to cultivate connection and empathy despite our differences and to acknowledge that resilience is not merely an individual attribute, but a collaborative force that can transcend boundaries. It is a must-see, and I can only pray your eyes get to take in the glory that is ‘Fire, Ash, Stars, I Attend to Survive’

Biographies
Ifeoma Peace Obiegbu is a trailblazing Nigerian creative based in South West Sydney, whose journey from local poetry slams to becoming a prominent voice in the city’s music and arts scene is a testament to her passion and versatility. Beginning her artistic journey at just 15 years old in the Bankstown Poetry Slam, Ifeoma has since grown into an empowering force whose work resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
Rooted in the art of storytelling, Ifeoma channels her experiences and cultural heritage through poetry, music, and broadcasting. Her love for self-expression has expanded beyond the written word, leading her to become the host of Up For It, FBi Radio’s flagship breakfast show. As a passionate advocate for Sydney’s vibrant arts scene, Ifeoma speaks on all things music, culture, and creativity, bringing listeners the latest in Sydney’s diverse creative landscape.
Sweet yet fiery, and wise beyond her years, Ifeoma’s ability to connect, inspire, and entertain sets her apart. With each project, she continues to cultivate stories that are relatable, raw, and empowering, capturing the hearts and minds of all who hear her.