Good day and welcome to my blog. Today, I’m going to be bringing a special Interview that I’m sure will brighten up your day. He goes by the name Ken Nwadiogbu and makes use of Ken Art ng for his work. What can I say, his interview was by far one of my best and guess where I came across him…. On Instagram(once again) and thank the stars that I messaged him. What amazed me about his works were how detailed they were, you couldn’t afford to look just once at his art and along with that they all carried a unique message beneath the surface. His personality is just as attractive as his art and I was really really happy about this interview. He falls under the category of artists known as 3D hyperrealists. I made mention of how his art carries unique meanings beneath, well I was privileged to get the chance to get these meanings and I want to give you all the same chance. I said all that to let you know that I’ll be dividing his interview into two, one which is this, to get to know him as a person better and the other one which is to get to not only see his art but understand it better. But enough talk, Let’s get to the art, Warning! you might think that the following images are pictures but no my friend, they’re paintings by this remarkable artist:

So those are some of his works, amazing right? I know I just read your mind. Its time to take a seat, relax and be inspired. Let’s get to the interview, let’s get to know Ken:

Q: What was your inspiration? What started it all?

A: I needed to make a noise.

I tried playing the guitar, tried building my poetry skills, tried dancing, tried everything. Nothing was working. I had a lot of things to say, I just knew I wasn’t meant to be like the “ordinary average guy” who goes to school and gets a job and has a planned life.

It was obvious there was more. So I started to find my voice. And I stumbled into art. Art wasn’t a first option, but I knew it was the last. There’s always something for everyone, we just need to find it. Try and fail till you try and get.

Q: What were the initial setbacks?

A: Money, mostly. I did a lot of free art, a lot. At times, I charged people 1k or 2k naira for a full framed piece. I was more concerned with the experience than the financial profits. So it burrowed into my financial strength.

Another setback was the Nigerian artworld. There was no room to connect or understand art except you went to an “art school”. There was this stigmatization on artists who didn’t study art. It was hard for a young artist like myself to evolve.

This was the reason I birth, with a friend (foladavid) something we call “Artists Connect Ng”. Which came out as one of the biggest art gathering in Nigeria last year.

Q: Who/ What helped you overcome?

A: Parents will help with funding. My mum has been very supportive of my art. My dad’s support kinda fluctuates a lot.

Then there’s this persistence, determination, practice, and a “deaf ear”. People will argue with me on that last part but honestly, it’s very necessary as a creative, and especially as an entrepreneur.

Q: What defines your art?

A: My motto is Art with Definition. I try to be an activist through my art. To speak about a better life, a better consciousness, and a better change.

Q: Do you have a favorite artist?

A: Yes I do, Yinka Sonibare and Kit King. They speak to me, Kit King taught me something important and that’s to not care about what people think, do what you do and people will love you for it.

Q: What do you for leisure?

A: Movies, hang out with my girlfriend, learn more and more craft. Hardly go out to parties or clubs. Always busy getting my spirit uplifted and inspired.

Q: What message do you intend to send with your art?

A: One of them is to be daring. I started preaching that when I did Burnaboy’s album cover. I wanted people to dare themselves. A lot of artists are scared of going the extra mile. I want people to push themselves. I’ve had people from all over the world tell me “Ken you just changed the game” from this my new artwork. It’s daring.

Another is that I try to preach peace. I might not be drawing Jesus and all but in whichever way I try to preach peace, I’ve always been an advocate of peace. Like tupac said I might not change the world but I might spark the mind of the person that will.

Q: What’s the ultimate ambition for your art, what you think you’d do that you’ll say “Yes, I’ve made my mark”?

A: To be widely known around the world. Money is good, but the assurance that every work you create will reach over a billion people around the world is gold. People need to start appreciating visual artists even as much as they appreciate musicians. So I’m also trying to work with musicians on some project that should just grow the Nigerian Visual Art guild.

Like I said, I might not change the world, but I hope to spark as many minds as I can to inspire change. I know I was brought into this earth for something greater, and with greater power comes greater responsibilities. I have a world to inspire.

I don’t ever think I’ll say “Yes, I made my mark” till my dying bed. Because as far as I live, It’ll always be a process. It’ll never stop. I’ll keep making my marks.

Wow, nice interview right? So that’s just the first part, stay tuned for the next interview. I hope you were able to gain something from his story and I hope it inspired you. If you want to contact him via Instagram click here and via e-mail click here. Today is Birthday, so if you have birthday wishes or any comment, the comment box is all yours and if you’re new to this blog there’s more where this came from, so hit that Follow button.

Here’s my birthday wish: Happy birthday Ken

Have a lovely day.