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I
have always loved bright colors and
movement, like dancing its healing,
relaxing fulfilling and challenging as
well. The bottom line is the feeling and
message that I want to convey through
the medium. When I paint, every attempt
is to capture the feel of warmth,
passion, joy and bliss in none objective
or figurative composition. I enjoy
experimentation of different media and
subjects.
My
subject varies based on my emotion and
statement but my love for colors is
constant. In spite of this, viewers see
different forms or figures in my
abstract expressions. The good thing
about these expressions is the freedom
of the viewers to see and appreciate the
forms in their mind's eyes, like face
painting in the eye of the viewer. Its
also important to mention that "Uli"
which is my traditional art style has
played a major role in my age long
career. The symbols and forms of this
art style are reflected in my cubism,
abstract images, abstract relief
sculpture, seascape, drawing, pastels
and watercolor painting.
People
see different forms or images in
abstract art, the depth of what you
actually see when you look at the
paintings is partly based on individual
exposure and understanding of art forms,
color, shapes, line and texture; which
are the physical elements that combine
to make up the artworks.
A
selection of different dark hues, shapes
and forms may give various impressions
to different minds; light, airy images
as mystical; balanced, temperate forms
as peaceful. Uli organic forms and shape
are symbolical such as colors and forms
have meaning in and of themselves. It is
a simple truth that you can't give what
you don't have. I am a believer and my
work time is also a meditation time,
which can go either way depending on the
spiritual consciousness of the creative
mind.
To
me, my work section is an intimate
moment between I, canvas and colors. At
this creative moment there is a
spiritual impartation from the artist to
the Art. Hence the emotional reaction to
these elements even if they create no
recognizable object for us to hang onto.
I
enjoy the inclusion and deletion of
space. The handling of space or the
illusion of space is another powerful
element in the artist's mind. If you are
drawn into a yard of three-dimensional
space stretching beyond the framework of
the painting to sculpture, you are not
alone. The impression of depth,
perspective, airiness, solidity,
textures and other spatial relations are
created and controlled to achieve a
desired goal.
The overall composition or design of my
painting or sculpture is created to
guide the viewer's eyes to understanding
and appreciation of the images.
I
must admit, most of my figurative
compositions is a celebration of
womanhood, which I am very proud to be
part of for they are the seats of wisdom
and knowledge.
I pride in the
feeling and reactions of my clients and
viewers to my creations. I feel blessed
in many ways than words can express. The
challenge sometimes is getting the
composition right, or balancing the
elements of color, lines and shapes
while maintaining a dynamic tension and
massage beneath.
Energy is the life force that is present
in all good art. This is not something
that is easily defined. The life force
of every work I do is the same, but
different energy and different
statements. It is this peculiar energy
that makes my works speak to you, and
makes them unique, original and
identifiable to me. This energy is
created out of experience and
self-awareness, materials and tools, but
the end is more than the means in the
same sense that a musical composition is
so much more than a collection of notes.
You are welcome
into my world of abstract wall art or
modern art, relax and let your eye
leisurely wander over the collection of
verities of art forms and styles. Let
your heart and mind react to my colors,
shapes, figures and textures. Come and
spoil yourself a little in the illusion
of vibrant spaces, the movement of lines
and the mood of blissful atmosphere.
Come, come up close and explore the
intricacies of brushstrokes, spatula-
strokes, paint thickness, textures and
compositional details. Enjoy how the
parts are woven together to form the
whole.
Take your time. My
artwork cannot be understood and
appreciated in a ten second glance.
Allow my art to grow on you, becoming
more interesting and more enjoyable to
look at as you live with it.
Chidi Okoye is an
award winning sculptor, painter, poet
and author whose impressive bodies of
work have won the admiration of local
and international art collectors.
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