In her collection Spirits Up, Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka presents a body of work that celebrates the best of humanity, focusing on stories of community, family, friendship, and the many ways people support one another during times of change or upheaval. The title serves as both invocation and encouragement — a call to resilience, steadfastness, and hope, echoing the strength of those who came before us. Through this series, Oruitemeka invites viewers to draw on their own hidden reserves of power while recognizing the importance of connection and belonging. The phrase “spirits up” carries nostalgic familiarity for Meier-Oruitemeka, rooted in the communities that shaped her upbringing, where it was used as an expression of compassion, solidarity, and encouragement. Much like the works themselves, the term embodies the simple yet profound reminder to keep moving forward: to hold one another up, to find strength in community, and to remain hopeful.
