There is no art work without a story – Chidi Nwankwo

How do you work?    As a student and public servant, I share my time between the two. When not at my job as a public servant, I take time out to create my works of art, especially when I work on paintings on canvas and paper, but for my body work, I usually scribble all […]

How do you work?   
As a student and public servant, I share my time between the two. When not at my job as a public servant, I take time out to create my works of art, especially when I work on paintings on canvas and paper, but for my body work, I usually scribble all that makes up the story that I want to tell the public because I believe that no work of art is without a story, before painterly representing it on my body.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?
The messages and concepts of my works are the most integral part of what I do.

What role does the artist have in society?
The artist is like a vehicle or tool that could help the society to mirror its activity through the works of art which could eventually help in building and developing it?

You started a new trend of art. Could you tell us about it?
‘Body painting’ as I call it, came into play for me as another medium of expression. This helped me to move my art to more radical expression as the presentation appears more conceptual to conform to the conceptual state of art around the world. I felt that I could bring this to the art table of Nigerian contemporary art as I have not come across this in the country in the art context. To me, the significance of body painting is the simple fact that it brings other aspect of art together in one piece

How has it been received?
I would say that it has been received positive response as the first outing drew lots of attention from media and the audience whom are either be art lovers or art buyers.

What do you intend to achieve with it?
I intend to positively pass my message across to the people straight to the point but conceptually

How has your practice changed over time?
I would rather say that my practice has not changed, but instead, the medium did change from working with oil and acrylic on canvas, later to pastels on paper and now to body painting with acrylic. Conceptual appears to be the reason behind all these changes.

What art do you most identify with?
Painting.

What work do you most enjoying doing?
Creating thought provoking conceptual painting concepts

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
As a painter, the strongest memory of my childhood was the duo competition between me and my late uncle and hero, Chucks Anyanwu as we drew to see who won.

What themes do you pursue?
Representation of man in relation to his immediate environs i.e, culture, nature, etc. 

What’s your scariest experience?
My scariest experience was seeing my father on his sick bed before he left the earth.

What’s your favourite art work?
My favourite art work is ‘Starry Night’, by Vicent Van Gogh, painted June 1889.

What is a real-life situation that inspired you?
I would say one real life situation that inspired me was about a young girl in the physically challenged school in California, USA, who despite her physical challenges, donated her hair to help those who are suffering from cancer, this really inspired me to use my talent in helping other people. I enjoy teaching the physically challenged people art for free to bring more happiness to them.

What else have you done other than being an artist?
I have worked as a care giver and respite giver at Califonia Psycare. Also I have doubled as an art teacher while I was giving respite.

Why art?
I was born with the artist talent as it runs in my family. I’m a niece to late Chucks Anyanwu.
What do you consider artistic outlook on life?
I guess that time is coming when  people will see art as a more lucrative profession that will boost the economy of the country and also artwork will be used as collateral in place like bank, loan companies etc   

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
The press and audience who have seen my works have not stopped calling me and wanting to show the recorded interview to show the nation my work, I think it was a nice one and good outing

What food, drink, song inspire you?
Rice, water, Mirror on the Wall by Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars. (Laugh)

What do you dislike about the art world?
The long waiting time for a young artist to start making a living out of selling their artworks

What is the most common misconception about artists?
The most misconception about artists is the view that many people think that artists are crazy.

What do you like about your work?
The conceptuality of my concept is what I love most.

What role do arts funding have in Nigeria?
Nigerian artists should be given the opportunity to serve the nation in their related organization and ministries. That will enable them to imbibe all that they know in the development of the country. They should also be encouraged to involve themselves with exchange programme within and outside the country for exposure and knowledge of what goes on around the outside world. It helps in showcasing the artists who may not be able to do so with their small income. 

What is your dream project?
My dream project is to stage a runway of body paintings and fashion. I am really looking forward to this.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
Chucks Anyanwu, Van Gogh and Piet Mondrain

What is your favourite or most inspirational place in Nigeria and in the world?
Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria. I love the serenity, the ambiance.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Never lose focus, hold on and keep the struggle by my late father

Professionally, what’s your goal?
To write my name in the artists book of record.

What wouldn’t you do without?
Colours! I simply can’t do without them.