Okoye believes that his art offers him a chance of relating to his environment, complementing the beauty of nature with man-made forms and images, which spring from his ancestral culture. He combines the strength, uniqueness and dynamism of his heritage with a technically skilled understanding of the power of forms, feeling and materials to create works, which continue to thrill audiences.
The wide appeal of his works seems to lie in its identifiably African approach to colors and lines, but with an ability to turn his distinctive style to a wide rage of subjects. Okoye’s paintings and sculpture have been praised for their capacity to raise awareness of important socio-political issues without resorting to militancy.
Apart from being the artist of numerous sold-out limited editions Chidi’s works have won the admiration of local and international collectors.
Among His long list of solo and group exhibitions includes his most recent international group exhibition “ The Nelson Mandela Unity Series, World Economic Forum, January 26th 2005 in Davos, Switzerland.
“His paintings are noble, vivid, honest and poetic…” Diversity News, Seattle WA, USA”
“…A sculptor whose creative instincts are clearly channeled towards a reflection of both his contemporary and cultural heritage.” Daily Times, Nigeria”
MyWeku.com: Your work has been described as having “the capacity to raise awareness of important issues without resorting to militancy” Is this a true characterization of your work?
C.O: I will think that is about right because my art is my ministry. It is important to deliver the message as subtle as possible. It is my prayer that God will enable my work to be used as physical and spiritual health of humanity
MyWeku.com: Your paintings have often been characterized by vivd bright colours and movement. Are you partial to this style and why?
C.O: vivid colors are just it. The strength, dynamism of rich primary colors are incomparable. It is as nourishing as organic food. As movement is important to healthy living so it is to the body of my work. I love movement.
MyWeku.com: A sculptor whose creative instincts are clearly channeled towards a reflection of both his contemporary and cultural heritage.” Daily Times, Nigeria. It is rare for artists to display accomplishment in more than one medium? Will you say you prefer painting to sculpturing or vice versa?
C.O: I chose sculpture but found painting. I want to be fare to both of them I will forever love sculpture as my first love. I have never in my wildest imagination dreamt of painting at this age. I have always seen myself painting when I couldn’t handle the challenges and physical demands of sculpture. Like every other thing unlike God is subject to change. My story changes in January 1995 in Vancouver BC, being my first winter experience. It was an awful memory and a testament that something good do come out of a horrible situations if we persist.
A long story short; my fingers while working with clay were arrested and rendered lifeless by frost bite. To be frank with you I never knew these words neither had i heard of them before this time. I felt the world as I knew it had come to an end. I cried like a baby. With tears streaming down my face I tried to reclaim my fingers by doing the only thing that came to mind that ended up being the worst thing to do in the situation; Dipping my fingers in hot water.
“my fingers while working with clay were arrested and rendered lifeless by frost bite. To be frank with you I never knew these words neither had i heard of them. I felt the world as I knew it had come to an end. I cried like a baby”
After this ordeal I longed for African sun, craved for the warmth of the tropics and joyful faces to light up my soul. The following day I moved from the garage studio to my small bedroom and did a “healing dance” how can I possibly tell you the one I prefer. Let me think about that it, if I may.
MyWeku.com: You are also a poet. Is this an area you plan on exploring more creatively?
C.O: Sure, I am looking for a publisher for my second book, but this time a coffee table books on collection poems and paintings, I have two books ready and currently working on a book on my abstract works. It is all about sharing wonderful gifts I have been given. I am praying and believing God for a right publisher for my work.
MyWeku.com: Some of your best work seem to have been influenced by “Mama Africa”. Is there a reason for such glowing tributes to our womenfolk?
C.O: I celebrate women, I think they are the greatest gift of God to man, Every good thing comes with a price and I cannot imagine a world without women. I think that God saved his best for the last.
“I celebrate women, I think they are the greatest gift of God to man, Every good thing comes with a price and I cannot imagine a world without women. I think that God saved his best for the last”
MyWeku.com: My Weku means “My Family”. Our aim is to showcase African and diasporean talent wherever they may be. As an artist born in Africa who has lived in both Canada and the USA do you think art can be used in forging a wider African family?
C.O: Yes I do, I sincerely appreciate your goals and expectations for African families but there is more. Art is global and our God is global. We will use art to expose the truth that has long been hidden in regions and race by greed and supremacy of man. If God sowed a seed of his son for a harvest of family, that should be our focus. It is only one heaven and one hell, one sun and one moon, one color of the blood regardless of the pigment of the skin. I pray that myweku.com will touch families all over the world for good regardless of their colour and race.
MyWeku.com: What do you like to do when you’re not painting?
C.O: I do work on my websites but I love to dance and watch movies as well
MyWeku.com: Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring artists?
C.O: For the aspiring artist I want you to know that in your world the sky is not your limit. You have no limit but being truthful to yourself and others. Whatever you do as your work, sign your name that people can read no matter where its found because outside your circle without your name on it, it is just another lost piece of art. I can’t begin to tell you how many e-mails I get from people wanting to connect to whoever is the artist of their artwork without being able to do so.
MyWeku.com: Anything else you’d like to add?
C.O: I love you
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