Tiwani Contemporary London/Lagos

Deeply iconographic and rooted in an ongoing inquiry into the nature of the Self, Hosten’s work draws from expansive fields including philosophy, mythology, Jungian psychology, alchemy, and ancient Igbo spiritual traditions. Her practice uses storytelling as an act of mediation between unconscious and conscious realms, dream worlds, and Igbo iconography, articulated through intricately detailed chiaroscuro drawings in charcoal, graphite, and gouache, alongside sculpture.

Ranging from panoramic to intimate in scale, the works depict scenarios of ritual, worship, acceptance, and transformation, as we witness the departures and arrivals of Hosten’s creative pilgrimage, accompanied by her biomorphic spirit guide, Ebezina.

At Liste 2026, Hosten will unveil a new body of work, created specifically for the fair.

Ugonna Hosten (b.1982 Lagos, Nigeria) lives and works in Kent, UK. She is a multi-disciplinary artist working across media encompassing collage, drawing, assemblage and printmaking.

Since her debut solo exhibition in 2022, Hosten has continued to explore and develop a mythical tale of a female protagonist on a pilgrimage guided by a divine entity. With a particular interest in the nature of the Self; Hosten’s work pulls from vast fields; including philosophy, mythology, depth psychology, alchemy and the ancient spiritual traditions of the Igbos.

Recent exhibitions include: Present, Tiwani Contemporary, London (group - 2026); The Song I Once Knew, What I Thought I Knew, Tiwani Contemporary, London (group - 2025); curated by Ronan McKenzie, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, London, UK (group - 2024);chi: Altarpieces, Liturgy & Devotion (Drawing attention: emerging artists in dialogue), York Art Gallery, York, UK (2023); Instinctive Travels & The Paths of Rhythm, One Paved Court, London, UK (solo - 2022); Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London, UK (group - 2021); Ty Pawb Print International, Wales, UK (group - 2021); Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, London, UK (2021), and Humanalia(n), One Paved Court, London, UK (group - 2020).