We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Onyekachi Courage Opara a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Onyekachi Courage, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
when working in the studio and then I look around the studio space, seeing my beautiful works and how amazing they look, I will be like wow ! I don’t even know what else I would be so good at. Art has been my source of amotivation in life.. I am so obsessed with it , no other job would have been as fulfilling as making art. I am very much happy for whom I have become,.
Onyekachi Courage, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a contemporary Nigerian artist who specialises in painting. I live and work as a full-time studio artist in the city of Owerri, Imo state. I started practising art from a tender age, drawing inspiration from storybooks with illustrations that helped to fuel my passion for creating art .
Having obtained a national technical certificate ( NTC) in decorative painting in a Technical College. I went further to obtain a B.A. in Fine Arts and Design in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
I have been working as a professional artist for more than a decade now . ” momeries,” as I refer to my style of painting, explores emotional moments of individuals having introspection. Memories are inspired by my personal experiences in my immediate environment and society in general.
People are struggling with life. It could be the loss of a loved one , a failed relationship, ill health, or other life’schallenges. These experiences are what I capture in visual reality through my work.
I have exhibited my work in galleries abroad and locally.
shows include ” Awakening”
2021 , Chili Art gallery, London, England.
” 4×4 +1.” . 2023
Chilli Art gallery, London, England.
” undiscovered ” 2023
Thought pyramid art gallery Abuja, Nigeria.
” Emotional Layers of Existence” a duo exhibition , 2024 Thought pyramid art gallery Abuja. Nigeria.
A 5th winner in honourable mention “Out of Africa,” an art competition for African artists organised by kaleido. A second runner up in Next of Kin series 6
an art competition organised by Thought pyramid art centre lagos, channelled at providing talented artists with a platform to connect with a larger audience in the local and international art scene. Check me on arsty.com, as Courage Opara,
Instagram @o.o.courage.
.. my most proud moment is when people reach out to tell me how my work mirrors their own personal experience and how they have found my work to be healing .
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, as a child, I have always loved to see everyone happy. Ironically, I grew up having some of the toughest times anyone can experience . My mission is to continue to share my lived experience through my art, believing that someone out there who is going through tough times would be healed through my art.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Fulfilment, waking up every day and being excited about work . Work doesn’t feel like work but like adventure. The joy of seeing your imagination coming alive on a canvas and then the feedback from the audience. Discovering that there are people who. understand your visual message is the most rewarding thing as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: o.o.courage
- Facebook: corage opara
- Linkedin: Opera Onyekachi Courage
- Other: Opara Onyekachi Courage
Artsy.com
Image Credits
Opara Onyekachi Courage