One on one with Helen Nzete

Helen Nzete is an award-winning visual artist who studied Fine Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, majoring in sculpture. She is known for her mixed media works which include paintings and sculptures. The fulltime studio artist who does a lot of portraits, motivated by man’s emotional resonance and the way it manifests over time […]

Helen Nzete is an award-winning visual artist who studied Fine Arts at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, majoring in sculpture. She is known for her mixed media works which include paintings and sculptures. The fulltime studio artist who does a lot of portraits, motivated by man’s emotional resonance and the way it manifests over time in facial expressions, speaks about her love to create and breaking boundaries.

What was the motivation to go into visual arts?

From a very young age when I realised that drawing was my best form of self-exploration and self-expression, it became my motivation to end up a visual artist.

Please could you describe your art style?

It is difficult to pin me down to any particular style because I always like to be flexible in order to be able to navigate the various issues that I seek to present. However, my style can simply be classified as mixed media, which for me is a fusion of sculpture, painting and other forms of creative expressions. I like to see myself as a multi dimensional artist caught between the canvas of naturalism and conceptualism.

What themes do you most focus on?

My pieces cut across multiple themes, but I mostly like to focus on gender balance, family and human rights.

You had your first solo exhibition not too long ago. What was that like?

The opening night which was a huge success and I was thrilled with the turnout. My lecturers from university came, my secondary school arts teacher was there, friends and also art lovers of different nationalities came. So, the feeling was beyond amazing for me. The feedbacks, love and support really boosted my confidence level. I would love to sincerely thank my amazing curator Rowland Goyit, Danielle Fichter and her team at the Club House.

How different was this experience for you as against group exhibitions?

Group exhibitions create an opportunity to work with other artists and learn more about them but my solo exhibition exposed me to the intricacies of self identity and building my own creative network.  It also allowed my audience relate with my works on a personal basis.

What was the idea behind the exhibition theme, ‘Perceptions’?

Perception is a key ingredient in art creation and appreciation. It is crucial to both the viewers and I to use the mind, senses and feelings when in contact with an art piece. So, I chose ‘Perceptions’ because I want each individual to look at each piece open mindedly so you become fascinated with what you see.

What’s the story behind your works, ‘Rebel’ 1 & 2?

‘Rebel’ 1 and 2 was born out of the need to express a lot of my frustrations about how everybody thinks they can have an opinion on how women should live their lives. All the time girls are being told what to and what not to do. This has a psychological effect on our acceptance of rules, customs and laws without asking questions. This mental state of being, has also given room for a lot of gender imbalances and nobody really cares how these things affect her. Regardless, every now and then, we have women who are strong enough to rebel the system, to be and do better, as female individuals.

You do mixed media, paintings and some more. Which is your preferred mode of expression and why?

My preferred mode of expression is mixed media because it enables the use of any material and is an effective tool for me as an artist to pull the viewer inwards, to experience the subject.

How do you decide what medium to use for a particular piece?

I think of the topic and the message, then I try to imagine the art in different mediums and see which medium works best in terms of delivering the message, and then I go with it.

Who or what has been your most inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration comes from issues and experiences I have had as a woman in my environment and then other people’s experiences that they may or may not be able to speak about publicly.

How well would you say that Nigerian female artists practicing at home, have occupied the global art space?

I think they have done an excellent job at occupying the global art space. We have a lot of female artists now showing globally and getting international recognitions and awards which puts Nigeria in positive lights, globally.

Do you think there are things female artists could do differently to promote themselves more?

Not really. We as artists have keyed into the benefits of technology, using it as a tool for self exposure, learning about other cultures and gaining, in terms of collaborations and participations.

You were part of the exhibition ‘A gift of blood.’ Why did you feel the need to participate in it?

I felt the need to participate in the exhibition because it is important that I am lending a voice to the voiceless through my paintings. My painting ‘City of blood’ helped me throw more light on the importance of making sanitary products free especially because there are thousands of girls and women who are discriminated against because they are on their periods. They have no way of protecting themselves, no way of providing the necessary products or medications to ease the process of menstruating monthly. I hope that making sanitary products free can be implemented as soon as possible so we can have a healthier and happier generation of women, especially in rural areas.

What’s your take on visual arts being an integral part of such an advocacy?

Art has the power to create the change we desperately require.  So using art as a medium to advocate for an issue as pressing as poor menstrual health or menstrual taboos is essential as it further educates and opens the eye of the public to the importance and power associated with the arts.

Were you not a visual artist, what else would you be doing?

I would have most likely been a social activist or a violinist because I love classical music and opera.