FRIENDS N' FAMILY - ISABEL OKORO

Isabel Okoro (b. 2001, Lagos, Nigeria) is a visual artist currently based in Toronto, ON.

She explores the interactions between the motherland and the diaspora, coining the term "normatopia" to describe a space that navigates the tensions between harsh reality and utopia, aiming for the achievable sweet spot in between.

Isabel holds a B.Sc. in Neuroscience and Psychology (High Distinction) from the University of Toronto. She co-founded the creative studio local•global, where she currently serves as the Creative Director.

Spencer: Where do you think you draw your inspiration from?

Isabel: I think much of my inspiration comes from everyday life happenings, like hanging out with my friends, being in love with someone, going out to eat, and taking a walk in a new city. These are all things that inform my senses and the world I'm trying to build.

Spencer: Amazing. Can you give us a rundown of your story?

Isabel: So, I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I moved to Canada when I was 15 years old, and around that time I got my first camera. Photography has always been significant in my life because my mom was very big on archiving, documenting, and ensuring we had all these memories growing up. When I started taking photos, I was just trying to do the same thing—documenting and making sure I could remember these moments I was sharing with my friends.

Over time, I felt like I wanted a more intentional approach, so I wanted to create stories instead of just taking photos for the sake of it. Sometime in 2020, during the pandemic, I had the opportunity to sit with everything I had created so far and really think about what I was trying to say and how I could continue saying that. That's when the concept of world-building and eternity first came to me, and I decided I wanted my practice to focus on developing eternity—a space where my friends and people who look like me could step into and exist freely.

Isabel: I think I keep so much from where I'm from, like our determination, resilience, and faith. These are things that remain strong in my life. More than anything, the ability to stand out in whatever I decide to do is something I learned growing up in Nigeria. It was always a big deal to.

Spencer: What would you say makes a great image or great film?

Isabel: Making people feel something. That's the biggest thing for me. Whether it's a portrait, landscape, or an image packed with a story, the goal is to create a feeling within people, to make them think about their place in the world, their actions, and their own emotions. A great image dares to be real but also leaves a lot of space for hope and imagination. Images are ways to look forward and create inspiration for how we want to live our lives in the next few years. 

Spencer: Have you always wanted to be a photographer?

Isabel: Oh, man. My first profession I ever said I wanted to work in was law because I used to talk a lot. I was so chatty as a kid and argued with everyone. My family thought I'd be a great lawyer, so I held onto that for a while. Eventually, I wanted to be a doctor because I wanted to save people and save lives. I ended up studying neuroscience in university, thinking I'd go down the pre-med route, but then I found photography and realized I didn't want to spend that long in school. Thankfully, things have worked out. 

Spencer: What have you been listening to these days?

Isabel: Let's see. I listen to a lot of Amapiano music, like private school Amapiano, jazzy, chill, loungy vibes. I love that type of music. I've been listening to a lot of Tems, Ayra Starr, Afrobeats, Asake, and New York Drills like Cash Cobain. I also love Nigerian alternative music, so Lady Donli, Santi. I consistently listen to those artists.

Spencer: What is your favorite city?

Isabel: So far, my favorite city is Mexico City. I spent two months there during a residency last year, and it felt like the perfect combination of home and function. I love Lagos, but it's not a very functional city. Mexico City, on the other hand, had a lot of function and was a good balance between being home and being in Toronto. The food was good, the parks were amazing, and it was very walkable. The galleries and every artist I met had a studio. My eyes were always happy in Mexico.

Spencer: Are there any gems in Mexico that you would recommend?

Isabel: Honestly, Fabrica, the gallery where I did my residency, is a gem. It's an artist-run space, kind of off the grid, but if you know, you know. They do a lot of great cultural programming like dinners, screenings, and exhibitions. Also, there's a Nigerian restaurant by the airport. I'll find the name and give it to you. That's a gem right there.....  Afromenu Mexico

Spencer: I didn't know they had a Nigerian spot in Mexico City.

Isabel: I know, right? Auntie was there, speaking Spanish and everything. She said she's been there for 12 years, just trying to make it happen.