Green Witness is a series of Abfillage works that places the cassava leaf—a symbol of sustenance, survival, and silent strength—at the center of Nigeria’s visual and cultural narrative. Rendered in richly dyed textures and layered over fragments of Nigerian newspapers, these leaves become more than botanical forms; they act as witnesses to history, hardship, and resilience. In Eastern Nigeria, cassava is present in nearly every farmland and has fed generations, including the artist’s own. This series honors its quiet yet powerful role, reclaiming space for indigenous knowledge and overlooked stories buried beneath systems of power. Through collage, paint, and print, the work reminds us that some of the deepest truths grow from the ground up.
