We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Moses Ndubuzo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Moses below.

Moses, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

When I first told my Dad I wanted to be a visual artist (study arts), while in my final year from high school he said nothing, “I was really scared of his disapproval”, he had no idea what it means to be a visual artist, no one from my family has done something like that apart from my ancestors who were said to be craft men. My father doesn’t even have a known friend who is a visual artist, but he is a person who does not say ‘no’ simply because he doesn’t know or understand something/situation, he is not moved by the well known professions in the country (Nigeria) like being a Doctor, Lawyer, nor an Engineer etc. He rather wants what is best for his children an does not want any of his child moving around after graduation from the University in the name of searching for job nor suffer in the future. So, he went to inquire if one can earn a living and raise a family as a visual artist. Lucky for me he had a positive response. He was not really convinced nor believed in the arts but as a father who does not know what is behind his son’s passion, but wants the best for his children, he gave me the ‘green light’ to go ahead and study arts in the University.
That go ahead to follow my passion (art) for me was one of the greatest right decision my parents made for me. Since I gained admission in to the University of Nigeria Nsukka to study arts in 2014, they have been very supportive despite not having much. None of them understood what it looks like or feels like to becoming an artist, they were ‘in the dark’ when it comes to visual arts, most of the advice I was getting from them was; ‘good name is better than silver and gold’, ‘hard work pays’, ‘the harder it gets, the easier it becomes’, ‘learning a skill is better than using black powers to do such’, ‘trust in God and believe in yourself’, ‘hunger doesn’t kill’, ‘always be grateful, thankful and helpful’, ‘never loose hope, one day you’ll get to your destination’, amongst others, as well as the regular check up calls.
Those encouragements and financial supports meant the world to me in my journey as a visual artist, it kept me going, through out my university days till date, it shaped my life as a person and made me focus in my career.
Though I had to work extra hard to gain my families believe and trust in the arts, of which up till date I am still on that ( lol).
I remember one holiday in my second year while in the University, I traveled to Bayelsa State (Nigeria) to stay with my Dad, I started a portrait drawing of our state governor then in front of my Dad, he usually goes for work early in the morning and returns in the evening and am still drawing, when I finished that portrait (almost a week), he called me one evening and said, “he never knew someone could use his bare hands to draw a fellow human being an get it exactly”, he was really excited/ proud and for me, that was the greatest testimony I have had as a young artist.
Those encouragements, from my Mom and Dad to me were gifts, it’s impact in my life and career is second to none,

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Moses Ndubuzo (b.1996,Imo) is a Visual Artist, a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Nigeria Nsukka (2019). As a figurative painter, I create paintings that tell stories of the after effect of my environment spanning conversations between my art and the viewers.
I am inspired by my environment, my personal life experiences, nature, music, books, the need to put a colorful smile on someone’s face and other artists as well.
I have partaken in numerous art exhibitions such as; Life in My City Art Festival 2018, 2019 &2021 (Enugu), ‘In Times like This’ group exhibition, Orange Gallery, (calabar), Modhafest 2020 Virtual Exhibition, ‘Dreams Alive’, University of Nigeria Nsukka, ‘The manifesto’ Artpoblik Group exhibition, University of Nigeria Nsukka etc.

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A story that illustrate my resilience.
My journey as an artist has not really been a bed of roses, in as much as am still very much in the journey, I have got some good as well as sad experiences which to me is part of the process.
After my final year in the University back in 2018, I went straight into full time studio practice as an artist, my love for painting naturalistic images was second to none, I will spend 13-15 hours almost every day painting except for Saturdays and Sundays where I paint for only 6-9 hours, I was expressing myself and having fun through painting as well as paying my bills through the Art.
All of a sudden in late 2019 I started developing strange feelings about my normal way of painting. I tried doing other forms of painting aside naturalism, and later returned to naturalism. This feelings keeps growing, so I shared it with my best friend ‘Ugwu Paschal’ who is also a painter, he advice me to follow the part so I’ll know where it’s leading me to. I tried but started having a touch of anxiety, mixed with pressure, and confusion. It increased a bit during the pandemic, I was still painting but no longer satisfied with my creation, thanks to Okoroafore Odinakachi who was also a great friend giving me courage, suggestions (help) in my art and life.
2021 was the height of it all, I had to relocate twice to two different states in Nigeria, I stopped painting and drawing for several months, picked up a job, and out of the artist block I started studying what art truly is. Lucky for me, I found a mentor, in person of Mr. Ike Gerald, he understood my situation an started mentoring me almost immediately, It was really difficult at start trying to follow a new part, unlearning and relearning what you knew but I know it’s worth it. So far, 2022 has been a different and amazing year for me, still learning, growing, developing, as well as gradually discovering my part.
Today am glad I am painting again, I never gave up on my dream, am better, more happy and following my parts as well. Sometimes life hits you hard but your desire to succeed pulls you out

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

My view on NFT

Personally I feel NFT is a welcome development, it has it place while other forms of art have thier place as well in the society. Change is the only constant thing in life, and we’ll keep expecting and seeing new changes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Ndubuzomoses
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ndubuzomoses.arts/
• Twitter: @Ndubuzomoses_