Artist Odemwingie Preserves Benin Folklore Through VR and Art Technology

Zainab Nneka Odemwingie, an artist and researcher, is preserving Benin folklore and Nigerian heritage through art and technology, particularly Virtual Reality (VR). Her project, "Legend Arua," offers viewers a 360ᵒ immersive experience of the ancient Kingdom of Benin City.

Inspired by the absence of local folktales in her youth, Odemwingie aims to celebrate African royalty and identity through art. The project, which took four years to complete, combines storytelling, folklore, and technology to benefit future generations.

By using Extended Reality (ER) art forms, Odemwingie seeks to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity in preserving cultural heritage.