Black silhouettes with large mouths dominate his compositions, where every element serves a specific purpose. Christian Amos Ikechukwu aims to convey people's stories while highlighting the beauty surrounding us. He believes that a painting is an open invitation for viewers to share their own stories on it.
How did your art journey begin?
In primary school, my cousin inspired me with his dream of becoming an artist. He often skipped classes, and I liked seeing his freedom. I also wanted to impress my teachers but struggled with math.
I found my passion for drawing while doodling in my math notebook. I started with sketching and then copying things I saw around me. I saved money to buy a sketchbook to create my comics. My love for art grew, leading me to study arts at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where I switched from sculpture to painting because I enjoy working with colors.
What makes your art special or unique?
I choose to talk about people's stories. I focus on anonymous experiences and the things that happen in the dark. I aim to highlight the beauty around us, particularly in the context of our shared experiences as Black individuals.
Your figures are often black silhouettes with no eyes and big mouths. What is the purpose of this style?
The block with lips symbolizes the act of speaking up. It's about expressing what is in our minds, even if we don't want to show our faces. Our stories need to be conveyed, even if it's not always visible.
In my work, silhouettes represent our hidden emotions and stories. While I share my narrative, you can overlay your own experiences. My paintings provide a blank canvas for you to write your story as long as you are true to yourself.
Your figures look independent and resilient.
Because I'm also an independent person. I understand what it feels like to be deeply connected to your own world.
How do you balance the traditional culture with the contemporary life?
I use traditional techniques like oil painting and collage. I enjoy experimenting and combining these traditional styles with contemporary ones to find the best mix. I also bring back classic painting styles, such as silhouette art with black figures, while adding modern details to the clothing. Many of the outfits in my paintings are inspired by my fashion designs because I am also a fashion designer.
Tell me more about it.
I love clothes, especially the ones I wear. They give me energy and motivation. I design and make my own clothes, bringing my artistic vision to life. I also use my fashion ideas in my paintings. I enjoy painting clothing details and want to see my designs represented in real life. When I wear clothes inspired by my artwork, people often compliment me. Their positive feedback encouraged me to explore fashion more, which led me to become a fashion designer. It's exciting to combine these two passions.
How do you choose your colors?
I paint with bright colors because they bring me joy. I'm a happy person; when I paint, I like to dance and enjoy that happiness. Painting attracts different energies. A negative emotion also affects my work; it shows in the final piece. It's a back-and-forth process, so I take my time when I paint. If I feel sad, I stay away from my art until I feel positive again.
I want my art to make others happy. People often find joy and beauty in my work, and my paintings make their homes more beautiful. My paintings provide therapy, adding brightness to places and improving the mood of those who see them.
Do you reflect the hardships somehow in your paintings?
Personally, I do face hardships in my African home, but I don't believe that I should impose those struggles on you through my artwork. I aim to create paintings that help viewers reflect on their experiences and notice their surroundings.
Africa is not just something to watch from afar; it requires our involvement. If we sit back and do nothing, we risk losing everything. We all believe in hope and the future rather than being stuck in the past or overwhelmed by the present. In my paintings, I prefer to express a sense of hope.
When a collector buys my piece, he essentially pulls me away from the difficulties I face, allowing me to envision a brighter future. The funds from the sale enable me to leave those struggles behind and imagine my life in a better place. So, I don't feel the need to paint my hardships merely.
You can teach the viewer to see the beauty around them.
Yes, I beautify paintings through nature. If you look at my artwork, you'll notice elements that feature plants and flowers. The green plants represent wellness and purification; they provide a sense of renewal.
What about the everyday objects that I see in your paintings?
Everything in my artwork serves a purpose; nothing is without significance. For instance, a teddy bear provides comfort, and a car symbolizes movement; it evokes the feeling of progress, of moving forward. I don't position objects as the central focus, so it's up to you to determine what resonates with you.
How do you connect to the viewer?
As I mentioned earlier, my paintings contain a blank space. You may not be keen on my story but appreciate the painting. The painting is like an open invitation for you to arrange whatever you wish to write within it. I can also share my own story through this art. But you can only personalize a painting once it belongs to you.
How do you start a painting?
I don't do sketches; the sketch is in my head. I visualize the entire piece from beginning to end. I find a reference for what I envision in my imagination, and then I sketch it on the canvas. After that, I apply colors, and if I'm not satisfied with a color, I can remove it and go back to my imagination to search for better options. Or if I don't like an element, I just swipe it away.
What does your creative process look like?
When I lose focus, I take a step back. So, while I may not be a fast painter, I can also be quick at times. It can take me three or four months to finish a piece, but I can complete a painting in a day if I'm feeling inspired and in control.
I spend time observing my paintings, subjects, and color choices before finalizing anything. It might take a while, but I can complete the piece relatively quickly once I feel balanced with everything. Additionally, I prefer to paint at night when the world is quiet. The noises and distractions of the day interfere with my creativity.
You already mentioned that you like experimenting.
I experiment with my imagination. It's not just about following techniques; I enjoy exploring new ideas. Creating art is more than just applying colors—it's a lifelong pursuit. It's an investment of time, energy, and resources, so I aim for something meaningful.
How do you balance between the realistic and the visionary?
I like to combine all elements in my work. This blending allows me to mix the various aspects of the art. People appreciate the realism, but I try to avoid making everything too flat; it can become dull at times. Instead, I incorporate both realistic and imaginary or painterly elements. I enjoy this interplay and keep it present in my work.
I notice many interesting layers in your works, which makes me curious about how you balance them.
I've tried various styles myself. However, none of them have given me the satisfaction I'm looking for now, so I chose this particular style because it resonates with me deeply.
Through all my experiments, I realized this was the most substantial approach to conveying my message. It can address a variety of themes and serve multiple narratives.
You have other paintings that portrays people's faces.
Firstly, I created a piece that also uses lines. It represents an error in my life, which I had to reflect on. The black face shows the second era, while the red faces represent the third era.
Seeing the black and red faces together is like seeing blood and shadow. We all have blood in our bodies and shadows that relate to our experiences. The faceless figures contrast with the real red faces. This shows the image of a rave body and its shadow. I have focused more on the shadow because I want to preserve my legacy; there are parts I don't want to show.
What does Black Joy mean to you?
There is beauty in being Black. As many African people say, Black is beautiful, Black is sweet, Black is innocent, and Black is happy. Unfortunately, many people overlook the richness and positivity associated with being Black. They often express negative opinions, saying, "I don't like Black." However, when I say "Black is beautiful" or "Black is sweet," it brings me joy. I appreciate the concept of Black joy and want to embrace it.
How do the old Masters inspire your art?
I enjoy modern artists' paintings, especially the concept of imperfection. While their works might seem perfect, they evoke a more profound sense of incompleteness. These artists blend elements harmoniously, which inspires my confidence in creating. I aspire to finish a painting perfectly, but I realize it can never truly be complete.
I also draw inspiration from nature, appreciating its beauty and observing elements like waves and water. Artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci found inspiration in nature, which also motivates me. My own work is influenced by both the natural world and the confidence of the old masters, embracing various cultures.
Given that you have already been exhibited in different shows, how do you think about visibility and success?
I enjoy connecting with people's feelings during my creative process. Encouragement like, "I love your painting; don't stop," makes me feel successful. Positive feedback, such as "your painting inspires me," keeps me motivated. However, I prefer selling my art directly from my studio rather than through galleries, engaging in one-on-one conversations with collectors to help them understand my work.
What does your daily routine look like as an artist?
I don't consider myself an artist and don't follow a traditional routine. I work on a few paintings but only paint when I feel ready. Pressure can affect the quality of my work.
I can work on three pieces at once. If I get bored with one, I switch to another or take a break outside my studio. After a few days, I return to see my work with fresh eyes.
While working on my art business, I communicate clearly with my clients. This builds trust, which is key in my art and business.
What are you working on?
I'm currently working on a sculptural piece resembling an egg. It will feature a nose but no eyes—just the edge of the form. I'm aiming to explore themes of identity through this piece. I want to place it in a walkway or a marketplace where people can see it. I'm interested in observing their expressions and reactions.
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