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Star (Zahra) Okpeh

@_starzahra

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"This sea that bares her bosom to the moon" ✨ Poet 📝 Artist 🎨 Development communicator 📊
For my designs @starzahra.ng

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Nigerian Fiction books and Poetry Collections I will never stop recommending.

@kc_uwaezu
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@_starzahra

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INTRODUCING OUR GUESTS

Star Zahra is a Nigerian poet and textile artist. She is the author of ‘Girls and the Silhouette of Form’ (Masobe, 2024), which won the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Poetry in 2025. She reads for Orison Books and the American Poetry Journal.

#rootsandresilience #abujainternationalpoetryfestival #poetry #art #AIPFEST26

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Now back to our tour with Starzara.

That very afternoon of 6th August, we found ourselves at Village by Tikera @villagebytikera and honestly, sometimes beauty just makes you pause.

You know that moment when you’re so captivated by what you’re seeing that, as a creative, all you can do is stand there, watch for a long time, and say nothing?

That was exactly how we spent most of our time at the @dotundavid_popoola exhibition.

What made the experience even more fascinating was knowing that all the artworks were created from metal scraps. Things that could easily be considered waste were transformed into beautiful and thoughtful pieces of art. The creativity and attention to detail were just incredible.

It’s the kind of exhibition that words struggle to explain and the soul simply cannot ignore. You just keep looking, discovering new details, and wondering how something that started as scrap metal could become something this beautiful.

Honestly, @bayoomoboriowo has created an ecosystem that I believe will continue to be a pillar for creatives, a space where art, ideas, people, and possibilities can come together.

We stayed there for hours, simply appreciating the beauty and taking everything in before we finally left.

And because every good exploration must end with good company, I ended my day at @dikechukwumerijecenter , where I got to see two of my very beloved friends, @styleefiko and @isaacjiga ❤️

Well, the last slide as usual… 😂🥹

The rule is always the same. I’m critically allergic to oil paint, so whenever I visit an art gallery, I apparently need to visit a pharmacy too for my meds. 😂💊

That’s one of the reasons I don’t produce paintings anymore. 🥹

Imagine being an artist who loves art but your body said, “Oil paint? Absolutely not!” 😭😂

So these days, I admire paintings from a safe distance and focus on photography instead. ❤️

Another discovery, another memory added to the journey.

The Creative Explorer keeps moving. 🚶🏽‍➡️

#admaihoto #thecreativeexplorer #explorewithad #unesco @undpnigeria
@canoncnafrica @africa @unesco

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Art Addiction Gallery is honestly heaven on earth, mhen! The lush green garden is absolutely spectacular. 😍🌿

I genuinely couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked into that place. There’s something so beautiful about how the art blends with nature. Every corner feels intentional, colourful, peaceful, and full of life. From the artworks to the greenery, the little details, and the overall atmosphere, everything just felt magical. 🥹✨

It’s the kind of place where you don’t just look at art, you experience it. You slow down, take everything in, and somehow leave feeling inspired.

And don’t forget that Mrs. Anila also sells beautiful plants! 🪴🌿 So, if you’re a plant lover, an art lover, or simply someone who enjoys beautiful and peaceful spaces, this is definitely a place to add to your Abuja exploration list.

You can admire the art, explore the garden, enjoy the atmosphere, and even take some beautiful plants home with you. 😍

I’m already looking forward to going back because one visit is definitely not enough. 😂❤️ There’s still so much to see, appreciate, and learn.

If you’re in Abuja and you get the opportunity to explore, please go to Art Addiction Gallery. Don’t just take my word for it, go and experience this beautiful creative space for yourself.

You’ll thank me later. 🥹❤️

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You know I always tell you that it’s hard for me to travel without getting an extra tour… 😂

My trip to Abuja on 3rd August was mainly for Heritage in Motion on 4th August and the China-Nigeria People-to-People and Cultural Exchange event by Chinese Cultural Center on 7th and 8th August.

But you know the Creative Explorer is always on the move. 😂 So, I used the intervals to explore more of Abuja’s creative spaces, and this time, I visited Art @anilas_art_addiction together with @_starzahra my tour partner.

I love it when I hear facts from people who have truly walked the road and succeeded. It always inspires me to do better, keep learning, and keep pushing forward and luckily for me i met Mrs Anila at the Gallery.

Art Addiction Gallery by Anila Adnan is a unique, nature-inspired art space and boutique gallery located around the Jabi/Life Camp area of Abuja. Founded by Pakistani-Nigerian visual artist, interior decorator, and horticulturalist Anila Adnan, the space beautifully blends contemporary fine art with lush green gardens and community workshops.

Mrs. Anila is one of those people, and I’m genuinely glad our paths crossed. Her journey, experience, and insights reminded me that success leaves clues for those who are willing to learn.

During the visit, I also met @kura.nen a gentle apprentice who was calmly working on some beautiful pieces that day. Watching her work and listening to Mrs. Anila share her experiences made the visit even more insightful.

It was more than just a gallery visit. It was another reminder that sometimes, the best part of a journey is what you discover in between the plans.

And of course, the Creative Explorer continues exploring. 📸

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Published by Masobe Books (@masobebooksng), Star Zahra’s (@_starzahra) sophomore poetry collection, “Girls and the Silhouette of Form,” has already won the 2025 Association of Nigerian Authors/KMVL Poetry Prize. The collection has been praised by critics and reviewers for its linguistic innovation and emotional resonance. Author Romeo Oriogun (@romeo_oriogun) called it “A celebration of the mundane,” going on to say that it “sings of what it means to be Nigerian today.”

Star Zahra is a Nigerian poet and textile artist. She is the author of “The Dance of Dawn” (2018) and “Girls and the Silhouette of Form” (2024). She serves as a poetry editor for ORISON BOOKS INC, a US-based publishing house and also reads for the American Poetry Journal. Her work has appeared in Brittle Paper, Isele, The Lagos Review, Konya Shamsrumi, Olongo Africa, Kalahari Review, Shallow Tales Review, 20:35 Africa and was shortlisted for the Journal of African Youth Literature Prize for Poetry.

“Girls and the Silhouette of Form” is available at Rovingheights, Spine and Label, Adam’s Page, Chapter One, and other leading bookshops nationwide.

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Help! ‘dultnapped by two cheeky little girls and they’ve hijacked my debit card. Repeat: They’ve taken over my debit card. They’ve mentioned a Chicken Republic. Sounds ominous. Send backup. Over!

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“Daddy, yook at my style!”
Iyye! Na gaishe da masu style da kwaliya.

We’d stopped by Capital Hub for Arabian Tea last week and instead met an open air fair winding down.

@_starzahra bought this for Zurain. Star Zahra did not buy me anything.

End of story.

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My favourite Abuja bookstore, @spine_and_label , just moved to a new space today—second floor Rhema Mall, Kado. Much more spacious. Congratulations, guys, and especially to my ED, @baba_aminu , for doing the difficult but terribly crucial task of running a bookstore. @_starzahra got something for herself and I got a @lolashoneyin title for Zurain, titled Jamila’s Clever Plan. Will read it to her later and replace the alternate story she’s already created from the illustrations alone.

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We are at the University of Abuja for the very first International Conference of the Nana Asmau Study Centre being hosted by Professor Razinat Mohammed. I look forward to exciting engagements around one of the most fascinating female figures from northern Nigeria in the 19th century.

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Out on a date with Zurain bint Rishad Ali. So far we’ve had coconuts, cashews, and slurpies (I thought they were called slush back in the day?) and popcorn. There’s supposed to be a movie as well but the children’s matinee has passed (10, 11, 1 pm). I’ll try to make the most of it before I wake up and the child is fourteen for-real-for-real. Now, it’s just me and my darling watching over a park of screaming kids while sipping our slurpies.

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Mata na, da maman Zuzu, the poet and fabric designer, @_starzahra. Allah barmu tare a zumunci da soyayya. Ameen.

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