Not being able to paint is like dying – Buffalo

In 2011, Ikenna Udeh, also known as Buffalo, was at the height of his power as an artist featuring at a grand exhibition at Casalinda Gallery Lounge in Abuja where one of his works, ‘If Wishes Were Horses’ was a centre piece. In 2012, I met Buffalo, as he is better known at his gallery […]

In 2011, Ikenna Udeh, also known as Buffalo, was at the height of his power as an artist featuring at a grand exhibition at Casalinda Gallery Lounge in Abuja where one of his works, ‘If Wishes Were Horses’ was a centre piece.

In 2012, I met Buffalo, as he is better known at his gallery at Art and Craft Village and interviewed him and one of the most striking things he said that day was how he believed he had been a painter from the womb and if his mother’s womb could be examined, some of his works could be found in there.

It was a remarkable comment, one that captured his passion for his craft and his commitment to it. It was something he hoped to do for the rest of his life, clearly. But less than a year after that interview was published in Daily Trust, Buffalo started experiencing severe pains in his back and was soon diagnosed with a cracked spine, which may or may not have been as a result of the way he positions himself while creating his masterpieces.

“They (doctors) said it is likely the way I stand while working and there is a strain that cracked my spine. It wasn’t like I had an accident or something. It just started with back pains that grew intense,” Buffalo said in a phone interview from Enugu, where he had been forced to relocate to in order to be nursed back to health by his family.

When he made that move in 2013, he was at first persuaded to try alternative medicine. In his voice there is regret when he recounts this experience.

“I am not too keen on alternative medicine but they said let’s try and we did. Perhaps things would have been different if we had persisted with medical treatment,” the artist said.

The talented artist has been incapacitated and has since been unable to express himself creatively.

“Since 2013, I haven’t been able to hold a brush,” he said. “I haven’t been able to do anything.”

For someone who believes he had been painting since he was in the womb, one could only imagine what this loss means for him.

“Hmmm,” he said when I asked him how he felt, “Painting is like breathing to me and not being able to paint is like being dead. But since I am alive I have hope that one day, I will be able to hold a brush again.”

The anguish in his voice was palpable over the crackling line.

But for one who feels artistically moribund, Buffalo is a tenacious fighter. The doctors have told him that he needs N2.3 million for a surgery that they hope will get him back on his feet again. Buffalo doesn’t have that kind of money.

In March, 2017, the Society of Nigerian Artist, Abuja Chapter, held an exhibition to help raise funds for the artist. The exhibition which held at House 33 Gallery, featured some of Buffalo’s works, which were put up for sale.

‘The Save Buffalo Initiative’ was a marginal success, raising N1m for the stricken artist. Buffalo was moved by the gesture.

“Some of the artist contributed their own works to the exhibition and the proceeds from the sales were donated to me,” he said.

One of the curators of the exhibition, Akachukwu Chukwuemeka, an artist and poet who is also the General Secretary of SNA Abuja chapter said, “The purpose of the exhibition was to raise funds to support our member Ikenna Udeh popularly known as buffalo. He has a fractured waist bone which has made it difficult for him to do any active work. We at the Society of Nigeria Artists with the support of AIT, NTA, House 33, channeled our resources to solicit funds through an art exhibition where people can buy artworks and money realised will be sent to Buffalo for the surgery which will cost about 2 million naira.”

While the society have stood up for one of their own, Buffalo, a really talented artisit is still holding out for more aid to help him have the surgery. Until then, one of Nigeria’s finest artist will remain stricken, waiting for the chance to breathe again.