2025
Iowa Governor's Emerging Arts Leader
Akwi Nji was the 2025 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Emerging Arts Leader, a statewide honor recognizing individuals whose artistic vision and leadership are shaping the future of Iowa’s creative landscape.
As a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and community builder, Akwi uses her work to invite deeper connection, cultural reflection, and collective healing. Her projects—often situated at the intersection of fine art, performance, and social engagement—offer powerful commentary on identity, belonging, and connection.
As a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and community builder, Akwi uses her work to invite deeper connection, cultural reflection, and collective healing. Her projects—often situated at the intersection of fine art, performance, and social engagement—offer powerful commentary on identity, belonging, and connection.
2016
Arts Council Fellow
Akwi Nji was a recipient of the prestigious Iowa Arts Council Fellowship, an award that honors individual artists who demonstrate exceptional creativity, impact, and a commitment to advancing the arts in Iowa. Through this fellowship, Akwi was recognized not only for her powerful visual and performance work, but also for her leadership in using art as a catalyst for community building and social change.
Her multidisciplinary approach—spanning painting, poetry, storytelling, and public art—reflects the lived experiences of women, mothers, and communities navigating identity, resilience, and transformation. The fellowship supported Akwi’s continued exploration of creative practices that foster belonging, elevate underrepresented voices, and reimagine what’s possible when art and advocacy intersect.
Her multidisciplinary approach—spanning painting, poetry, storytelling, and public art—reflects the lived experiences of women, mothers, and communities navigating identity, resilience, and transformation. The fellowship supported Akwi’s continued exploration of creative practices that foster belonging, elevate underrepresented voices, and reimagine what’s possible when art and advocacy intersect.
Creating art is my way of fostering connection, inspiring creativity in others, and exploring themes of resilience, empowerment, and healing. My goal is to create art that is a bridge between personal experiences and universal human experiences. My work is deeply inspired by the natural world and I often say my abstract paintings are invented landscapes of our earth and bodies. Themes of connection and harmony are also laced throughout my work. All of this is inspired by human relationships -- our relationship to others, to ourselves, and to geography and place. Each piece I create reflects my belief in the transformative potential of art to foster joy, freedom, and a sense of belonging.
