INTERVIEW WITH NNADOZIE EKENE

                                        

Tell us more about yourself?

I was one among the many creative Nigerian youths. I'm gifted in the arts, visual arts to be precise. My name is Nnadozie Ekene Gideon. I was born in Lagos state and I also did my early education there. I'm from Enugu state. I finished my primary school in Port-Harcourt. It was in primary 4 at 8 years old that my talent was first acknowledged in a Fine Art class. The teachers remark changed my life. "A promising Artist".

Ever since, I see art as a form of freedom and a limitless source of hope. A medium through which I could express myself and inspire people as well. So since then, I've been on a journey to discovering the greatness and depth of my creativity. I feel privileged and honoured to have been given this limitless gift and ability.

I would love to use this gift to inspire and lift people, to give them hope. Art being a means of expression simply boundless because it has no language barrier.

As long as your mind is active, art can and will always communicate to you. I have been experimenting on using the pencil to create images. I must say the medium is inexhaustible. Every day, it makes me wonder if the pencil will ever cease to have another dimension in it. The drawings take me between 60 to 150 hours. In the long run, I gained the virtue of patience and consistency.

What is your source of inspiration?

First, it is God because He is the master artist. His works have no end. Then some other artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Kelvin Okafor, Marcello Barengdi, Ken Nwadiogbu..., I can just go on and on...even my fine arts teachers. My Parents have also been very supportive.

Which country do you think is art-based and why?

Nigeria is art-based due to our cultures, traditions, fashion and lifestyle. Art appreciation is growing at a fast pace. Globally, the UK and most Asia and Europe are more art-based than us here in the sense that art appreciation is higher. Thanks to platforms like this that are making Nigeria better in every way.

Every ethnic group, tribe and geo-political zone in Nigeria has every element of art woven into their culture and tradition. So we live and work in art here in Nigeria.

What does it take to pick a pencil and put a thought into drawing?

It takes courage. It takes everything a person entails. It also takes conscious effort and experience or inexperience. Sometimes it takes being intuitively guided other times, it takes curiosity to see what comes out.

Who are your role models?

Wow...My role are many. They range from art masters to contemporary artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Kelvin Okafor, to mention a few.

Do you think Africans appreciate art works like the Europeans do?

Like I said earlier, art appreciation is growing in Nigeria and indeed Africa. Although the level in Africa might not really be up to par with what it is in Europe, Europeans look for the aesthetics in art works while Africans seek for the meaning of work. So until most of Africa start appreciating the beauty and art-for-art sake value of art works. Art appreciation here will not match that of Europe.

What do you think are the challenges faced by Nigerian artists?

The challenges faced by Nigerian artists are basic challenges which have been magnified due to the nature of the environment we find ourselves. Major on the list is "the starving artist syndrome" where an artists can barely live by what he earns. Then there are others like lack of what I call "talent managers". Hence the artist does all the running around. Lack of proper funding, appreciation of creativity is getting better of late.

Also, there is the issue of societal regard for artist as people who have lost hope. This is as a result of art being seen as a less lucrative venture. Even in some universities, the Art department buildings are far from fine. If the artist is valued, then his works can be well priced as in developed places.

These challenges lead to Nigerian artists been taken for less than the best in the world which is not supposed to be so.

Any plans for the future?

If you ask me, I would say the future lies in our heart. As we imagine it and walk towards reality is born. With that said, I hope to birth motivational pieces that will set the pace globally even as I set off locally.

I see exhibitions across the world in view. I also see myself imparting knowledge to young artists, and lots more.

How do you relax when you're not in your studio?

When I'm not in my studio, I watch cartoons and motivational or Sci-Fi movies. I also love listening to music across the globe. I feed my mind on positive things.

What is your best food?

Egusi soup with any available swallow.

Your favourite colour?

Purple. It signifies royalty.

What is your favourite choice for holiday destination?

US, because of its diverse cultural heritage.

Your social media platforms for fans to reach you?

Facebook: Artfinga's Studio

Instagram: @artfinga

Twitter: @NnadozieGideon or search for "Artfinga".