By Stanley Ugagbe
It is no doubt that the African society is yet to provide a level ground for both males and females to compete. Despite the light that education has brought, the girl child is still at the mercy of several cultural principles restricting her in one way or the other. A lot of women have given up on their juicy dreams due to some of these barbaric cultures.
For Chidimma Ikegwuonu, the story is quite riveting. Environmental challenges greatly affected her growing up, particularly her social life. But these challenges didn’t mar or deter her; rather they built her into becoming a strong woman.
She is a graduate of Fine and Applied Art from the University of Benin. Chidimma has defied all odds to carve a niche for herself in the Art space. In this exclusive interview, she shared her riveting story.
May we meet you?
My name is Ikegwuonu Chidimma, I am a female artist based in Abuja, Nigeria. I am the CEO of Urunwa Art.
Tell us about growing up.
My growing up is not the best memory I desire to keep, frequent changing of school and environment made my background quite challenging. In fact, it affected my social life. I grew up as an introvert, I spend much time indoor than I do outside. This experience greatly influenced my journey into the world of art.
I am from Nnewi in Anambra State, Nigeria, and the last born in a family of five children. My mom was a teacher, so basically my life revolved around studies and religion. I left Anambra State during my senior high school at the Federal Government Girls’ College Benin, Edo state.
Why Art?
Art is my passion, it’s part of me. Art has been a means of healing and solace to me. Growing up as an introvert, I found myself spending more time expressing myself through drawing. It gave me the boldness I lacked; growing up I found it difficult expressing myself verbally or socializing, I rather communicate through drawing and I will spend hours drawing rather than playing with my friends. Art is my life
What is the idea behind your painting project that has Beyonce, Iweala, Serena, Chimamanda and others?
Growing up in an environment that saw/see no need in investing in their girl child, I always have an abstract view about the practice. I had this urge to turn things around especially in my family, I believe in allowing the girl child to go for whatever she is passionate about. Being a victim in this was what led me into making research on women who rose above the limit placed on their gender as a female and soared high in their respective field.
Women like Chimamanda Adichie, Serena Williams, Beyonce have all shown that being a female is no excuse in dreaming or going for the peak. They have demonstrated that no gender should be caged or limited.
Okonjo Iweala and Michelle Obama are women that have shown that being a public figure or politician has nothing to do with one’s gender. Their achievements have shown that one can be a female and aspire for any position.
The girl in the middle stands for all girl child that dreamt/dream to be a strong fellow and successful lady in future irrespective of where they found themselves. They look beyond the limitation and DREAM BIG.
Titled: DREAM BIG (A call to all girl child never to give up on their dream , they can be who and whatever they want to be)
What inspired Urunwa_Art?
The quest for greatness, the quest to be a famous artist and to rise above just being a female artist, but also to be a voice to those that have lost their voice inspired the brand Urunwa_Art.
How well has it fared?
The journey has not been easy, there have been ups and down, times I want to give up, being a female artist in Nigeria is not an easy task, especially coming from family aspect, but one thing that keeps me moving is the zeal to achieve a great fit.
What are some of the best projects you have done?
-The first experimental work I did with non-biodegradable plastic straws on board, it’s a project on recycle art talking about the essence of taking kids off street.
-The painting (Dream Big)
– Nwanyi Ike exhibition (group exhibition)
What are the challenges so far?
-The environment itself is a challenge, though things are loosening up a bit now.
-Secondly, selling of art works is challenging over here, Art is not being appreciated the way it should be.
Apart from Art, do you have other ambitions? What are they?
Lol, those that know me know I don’t joke with sports, I play football, volleyball, table tennis, and cricket. I love sports but my main field in sports is football. Am so passionate with it especially female football, I aspire to have a female football team one day, there are many young girls that lack support from family because the family still believes that football is for males.
How does Art impact the Society?
Art can only impact or be of use to those that values it, a country that doesn’t value art won’t see the need of branding or promoting it thereby making it stagnant but a country that promotes art has a lot to gain from it as it influences many sectors in the country.
- Tourism: art helps countries in attracting tourist, unites and bring about innovation
- Economy boost: according to the new data shared by the U.S. bureau of Economic Analysis, art related industries have been found to contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
