Eunice Bossman-Okai: How I Combine Kola Nuts, Sponge to Produce Earrings, Necklaces

Having lived in two countries, Nigerian and the United Kingdom, Eunice Bossman-Okai, founder of the creative brand Meitam London, is inspired to combine the materials and techniques of these places. She produces jewelries such as beads, earrings using Kola nuts, African sponge. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

Multidisciplinary artist and Jeweler, Eunice Bossman-Okai is such an extraordinary creative. Her love for experimentation inspired her to expand her creativity beyond jewellery, using a variety of media. Between designing jewellery and producing art that are distinctively detailed, original, timeless and classic, she has created her own brand, Meitam London.

Eunice distinguishes her pieces, bringing African natural beauty into homes with handcrafted unique creations. She’s inspired by African natural resources and endeared to crafts that are unique, quirky and organic. Jewellery designer-makers create jewellery and decorative products, using materials like gemstones, precious metals, acrylics and enamels.

Hers is different, rare and unique. She combines raw materials such as Kola nuts, African traditional sponge to produce jewelleries such as beads, earrings. On her website are images of her products in various designs and shapes, polished with enamel, metallic leaf, gemstones and gold coloured shades bearing natural looks.

Having lived in two countries (Nigeria and the UK), Eunice is inspired to combine the materials and techniques of these places which reflects in her collections. Through her work she embraces issues of culture, history, identity, tradition, status and symbolism.

“My business started in the United Kingdom in 2016, and my brand, Meitam London, was founded in 2018. The name Meitam is derived from my Nigerian name “Meitamunopiri”, which means “Doing it for God”, part of her profile reads.

For her, the vision is to uplift and encourage people through creativity. Each piece of work is unique and has an underlying message that is forged as part of the creative process.

“Meitam deals in rare one-off handcrafted pieces that are produced using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The inspiration behind the creations is influenced by spirituality, culture, nature and textures.

“Transforming traditional materials and techniques and combining opposites: including the natural and manmade; handmade and machine made; traditional and modern; African traditional and European modern; intentional and unintentional and precious and non-precious material.

“I use the combining of materials and techniques as a design process and through this process produce work with sometimes unpredictable results. I encourage and develop these chance results. Ultimately the work finally takes a somewhat organic form and through each development every piece made is unique.”

Born in London, Eunice relocated to Nigeria as a child with her family in the 70’s, before returning to London in 1995. Due to her creativity and incredible passion in exploring different African traditional objects, Eunice decided to pursue a career in artwork.

She achieved a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in 2010 at Lewisham College and later a BA in Jewelry and Accessories Program at the Middlesex University in 2014. Her culture plays a vital part in the handmade work she produces.

“I love the philosophy of experimenting and this has led me to work with materials based on natural resources primarily from Africa”.  My love for experimentation has inspired me to expand my creativity beyond jewellery and I use a variety of media; I produce art and jewellery that are distinctively detailed, original, timeless and classic.

“I love interacting with people and sharing my knowledge about the raw materials I work with. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring them into my space of creativity, spirituality, culture and tradition. Each piece of work is unique and has an underlying message that is forged as part of the creative process.

“Her love for art continued to expand in 2018 by making sculptures, some wearable and others for display purposes. Most of Eunice’s work is a variation of mediums such as sculptures, wall sculptural art, painting, and digital art that enhances the uniqueness of her art. Eunice currently resides in London, UK, married with three children and a grandchild.”