RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS WITH ~ KEN NWADIOGBU BY PABLO G. VILLAZAN
In this weeks session of “Rapid Fire Questions” our good friend Pablo G. Villazan shares with us his Q&A with Nigerian visual artist, Ken Nwadiogbu.
Bio - Ken creates innovative conceptual drawings on various surfaces, as he challenges and investigates Black socio-political structures and issues, while engaging in multidisciplinary modes of storytelling. Gender equality, African cultures, and Black power are a few aspects of his current research and artistic practice.
So, Ready! Set! Gooooooo!
Who is Ken Nwadiogbu?
My name is Ken Nwadiogbu, born 1994. I’m a contemporary visual artist that loves to engage in multidisciplinary modes of storytelling. My ideal piece constitutes a silhouette of a form, mostly human, which I embed an eye or parts/whole of a face into— my ultimate pronouncement on the theme of creating consciousness to what represents our collective reality through art.
Did you always want to be an artist?
Not really. I started art roughly 6years ago. Before then, I loved drawing but never thought of going into it professionally. I studied Civil and Environmental Engineering while in school and my interest in art, as well as my career, began during this period despite no formal training. In reality tho, my artistic side, seems to be much more powerful than what I could produce via my Engineering Degree.
Where does your inspiration come from?
When I began practicing art, my inspiration came from issues relating to my peers and those around me. Now, I am inspired by recent happenings in the news and issues relating to Black people. The philosophy that drives my work is simple, I want to inspire and create change everywhere that my work is presented. I don’t just want to make works for the sake for it, if you look closely at each piece, I am always trying to say something. From issues relating to profiling and brutality, to issues relating to African migration and bad government.
Which artists have the greatest influence on your work?
I draw inspiration from artists like Chuck Close, David Hockney, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Ai Wei Wei. Each of these masters have a thing or two I admire and try to include in my artistic language.
What is your process to create your work?
My oeuvre encompasses various mediums including charcoal, collage, acrylic and most recently photo transfer. I started art as a Hyperrealist but my work has since evolved, as I infuse other elements from contemporary art into my work.
The break through of the main subject often seen in many of the pieces is achieved with several hours of detailing using charcoal. My creative process involves me conceptualizing ideas for my work, penning down the idea, drawing, painting and most recently, photo transfer. These techniques were horned through hours of research and exploration.
6.- Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?
Yes, my beautiful puppy. She’s the best studio assistant I could wish for. Always there to watch me paint day and night.
What is the meaning behind your artwork?
Through my work, I challenge, evaluate and investigate Black socio-political structures and issues in the society. I began creating after being inspired by issues relating to my peers and those around me. I wanted to create works to reflect their everyday struggles, with hopes of making a change in my community.
I believe we as African artists have the ability to change the narrative of our society through our works. We are often presented with opportunities to exhibit outside of Africa and I believe these opportunities should not be taken for granted. There are so many issues plaguing Africans, from bad government to mass migration to poor infrastructure and so on, it is our duty as artists to influence change.
Imagine that your paintings could talk, what would they say about you?
Lol. They’ll scream “SORO SOKE!”, a Yoruba word meaning ‘Speak Louder!’. I believe they’ll encourage me to keep painting and expressing my world and the worlds of others.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t be depressed.
Do you find the social channel’s influence Positive or Negative?
I find it both positive and negative. For the first time, we are closer to each other and can connect in ways we never thought we could. A million people can see art now. We tho, need to be careful and smart to navigate away from fake news and addiction.
Describe in 3 words how social channels affect you as an artist.
Research Communication Exposure
What is your dream project?
My dream project is “The Last Supper”. It includes plastic plates with eyes on them, joined together and spans so large that it would drape on a wall.
