BY STARRYS OBAZEI
Sculptor Chidi Okoye was a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Oko before he left Nigeria for Canada on the invitation of Canadian Art Society in 1994. Today, his fame in sculptural art has spread to America, Canada and Europe and his works speak volumes about his creativity and excellence. In this online interview, the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu trained artist talks about his art.
You are Canada-based and also known internationally. How much were you known in Nigeria before you went abroad?
I did quite a bit in the field of art before leaving Nigeria for Canada on the invitation of Canadian Art Society in 1994. I did numerous sculptural commissions in public and private collections, taught sculpture at Oko Federal Polytechnic for six years, served as Secretary for Society of Nigerian Artist Anambra state chapter for three years. I had Ibrahim Babangida ex – president of Nigeria and Cardinal F. Arinze unveil my works at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki and Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha respectively. And I have one of my works at Mobile Producing Head office in Lagos, to mention but a few. I had my national solo exhibition "Textures of Life" and launching of the book "Lamentation" at national museum Lagos in 1993 sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria.
Tell us about some of your exhibitions around the world.
I have participated in various creative competitions, like in the design of posters for the Festival Sundiata in Seattle, USA, which I won in 1995, 1996 and Sundiata Best Artist of the Year 1998. I also designed a poster and logo, "Spirit of the Nation", for the Canadian Heritage Art Society in Victoria BC in 1997. I designed and created award statues for Black Historical Society in Vancouver BC in 1999, also in 1999, I won first prize in the Co-op Radio Poster Competition in Vancouver BC. I have had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Vancouver BC, Calgary AB, Toronto ON and Atlanta GA.
I have been blessed to have sold out five limited editions on international cruise ships such as Carnival and Princess Cruise. My works have won the admiration of few local and international collectors. Among my list of works in private and public collections are in Delta Airline, Atlanta; Water Resources, Resurrection Life Center Montgomery, Alabama; President Office, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC Canada; Iowa State University, Iowa, USA, Villa Benzi, Caerano, Venice, Italy, to mention a few.
Your artworks in Facebook appear uncountable, how many are they really?
I am not in the habit of counting my works, but I will say that I have done quite a lot .
How do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from God. I ask him for whatever I need including inspiration to create or else it will be practically impossible for me to do what I have done in art. All glory and honour goes to God who enables me by Christ, to shade some light on his passion through art.
I use life experiences and human emotions to communicate God's passion to the best of my ability, with the hope that he will use them in his own way to touch the lives of his people positively for his own glory.
With so many works on display, you must be very rich.
I don't know about that, but I know that I am rich in Jesus, blessed and highly favoured
Where do you get your greatest patronage?
US and Europe for now.
Is sculpture an innate thing with you or you started by learning it?
I was captivated with sculpture as a kid. I thank God for a creative father who encouraged me with all he had. He was my hero.
For professionalizing your passion, which schools did you attend?
I attended one of the Nigerian best schools in art, Institute of Management and Technology Enugu. I graduated in I988, and majored in Sculpture.
What do you hope to do in the future in Nigeria?
By the God's grace I hope to invest my time in the education of our youths. I plan to empower them with the truth of the untold hardship of immigrants in the Western world, so that they can be better informed before giving up their empire for the hidden world of pain and sorrow.
