Chinakwe’s work has previously been exhibited at Boxpark Croydon, the Mondrian Hotel, The Good Front Room at The Langham Hotel, and Stork in Mayfair. Intertwined with her work is her real life advocacy for the representation and support of Black artists and is co-founder of Camden Black Creatives (CIC), a collective aimed at supporting Black artists living or working in the borough of Camden.

Chinakwe’s champion for The Wick is Jamila Saidi. She said: “I first met Caroline when I came across her work at an exhibition in Dubai. I thought it was incredibly striking, bold and beautiful. She told me that she’d previously been a fashion designer for over two decades before becoming an artist and that she was self-taught. I found her pieces to be captivating and could see how her journey had influenced her artistic style. What an incredible story. I also thought it was great that she had launched Chinakwe, a lifestyle brand which she wants to grow internationally. I instantly thought of all the markets where her work could do some powerful storytelling and make an impact.

Her work is a powerful testament to how society’s narratives can be reshaped through the bold expressiveness of Afro artistry. I see her art as being a vibrant voice that is amplifying the rich tapestry of African culture, but in the context of the western world and in addressing societal issues. She’s inspiring a new generation and sparking important conversations about society and culture in a way that really resonates and I love that.”

Contemplating issues of class, conformity and resilience among immigrant communities in the UK, Chinakwe’s bold and unapologetic visual language bears witness, and is also a celebration. Her collaged portraits have been likened to Pop Art and Afrofuturism, drawing on her background in fashion and profound understanding of style to incorporate intricate patterns and surprising textures. These often revisit traditional Nigerian textile designs but with a contemporary British beat. She also looks to iconic, maverick figures Josephine Baker, Grace Jones, Erykah Badu and Prince who each capture a certain attitude and audacity intrinsic to her work.

Though she’s built up a strong fan base for her portrait-based works, next month, she will display six new pieces at Motoarto, as part of a group exhibition, that moves her practice in a new direction – though she’s not revealing anything just yet. “It will be a departure from what people have known my work to be, but it’s another challenge that excites me and I can’t wait to showcase.” We can’t wait to see what she does next.