Biography
Ofobuike Okudoh is a visual artist and designer born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1992 , who speaks through ethereal lines, patterns and rich texture. After 4 years of extensive studies in Accounting, he decided to chase his creative dreams in France where he swiftly integrated into the culture and successfully completed his studies in Fashion design at the prestigious ESMOD Roubaix.
Identity has always been a pertinent subject, as his first exhibition 'Imprimé identifié' which held at Bureau d'Art et de la Recherche , Roubaix, France expressed rich prints with reference to textile art . Wearable art as it concerns tackling fast fashion is also one of his fortes.
His whimsical illustrations also graced the walls of the XI Bienal Internacional de Arte SUBA 2019 in Mexico as well as The African art exhibition at the Jesuit institute in Nairobi where an impressive number of African masters were partakers.
Blurring the lines of oppressive antics that undermine African beauty is one of the societal battles his art is set to win.
Artist Statement
Lines , layered scribbles , patterns - These are the main avenues through which life emanates from my delicate but profound pen , ink , and oil pastel illustrations.
The mystery that surrounds human ( female notably) anatomy coupled with the richness of my Nigerian(Igbo,Yoruba and Benin) heritage further pushes the boundaries as regards the elements of my illustrations. When ink meets paper, a sense of belonging manifests and consequently gives rise to innate tranquility.
Spirituality, African masquerades, beauty of afro hair, tribal scarifications and the erasure of societal & racial standards of beauty are the most pertinent subject matters that influence my medium of portraying the art of lines and illustrations.