INTRODUCTION
My name is Oluchi Anaghoba. I am a multi-dimensional artist. My primary medium of expression is painting, using acrylic and oil. I also incorporate photographic collage as a form of mixed media- blending painting with photographic elements.
My work centers on the preservation and re-imagination of memories and identity, both personal and collective.
CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF BACKGROUND OF YOUR ART JOURNEY?
I started off as a child, drawing in primary school, but I didn’t truly consider myself an artist until I decided to study it formally. It was difficult convincing my folks about my decision because art isn't typically seen as a professional career path.
In my 300 level, I majored in painting and began practicing professionally after my industrial training at the Universal Studio of Art. I started with traditional painting using oil and acrylic, and my early works were reflections of moods and emotions- essentially how I felt at the time. Eventually, I transitioned from purely traditional painting to creating collages that document both my practice and that of others.
My art is art for creatives. It represents the struggles I face as an artist and, by extension, the struggles of other artists. Over time, I developed my creative process by interviewing artists, learning about their interests, and using the outcomes of those interviews to create my collages. My art goes beyond me, it tells the stories of others too.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF BEING AN ARTIST?
I have a strong perception of what it means to be a creative; it's a big deal to make something, name it, and be confident in your creation. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially in Nigeria, where pursuing art as a professional career is often seen as unrealistic. There’s a constant need to prove that art is a worthy and viable career path.
There’s also the economic struggle. Art supplies are very expensive, and this creates pressure to abandon one’s art in favor of more profitable paths that offer instant gratification. I’ve seen many talented artists stop creating simply because of the need to make money.
My recent project, The Martyrs, highlights the struggles artists face, how even great artists have had to ‘die’ many times but remained resilient to become who they are today. That’s why my work focuses on the journey artists go through in their careers and celebrates the strength of their craft.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN ARTIST?
I particularly enjoy the freedom to create something, define it, and call it what I like—the freedom to be a god in my own space. The confidence and liberty that come with being a creative have deeply influenced the way I see life and how I approach everything I do.
WHAT MATERIAL OR TECHNIQUE DO YOU ENJOY USING THE MOST, AND WHY?
When I created pieces using traditional painting as my medium of expression, I worked with oil, charcoal, oil pastel, and acrylic. I started off with oil colours. Oil allows for more freedom in creating and depicting mood; it’s easier to manipulate and gives you time to work through your expression. Acrylic offers a similar flexibility, but it dries faster, which can be limiting when trying to convey a certain atmosphere. That’s why oil is often easier to work with when the goal is to reflect a mood.
Later, I began working with collage using paper. What drew me to paper is its monochrome quality—black and white—which creates a vintage feel and a sense of assembling memories. Paper is a primary medium for documentation, which aligns perfectly with my core interest: creating art that preserves and documents memories.
WHAT INSPIRED THIS BODY OF WORKS YOU ARE EXHIBITING?
I started the process of “Discarding” in 2022. It represents a phase in the creative journey for artists like me who began by working with many different mediums before eventually finding a niche. I used to work with anything within my reach, but at some point, I wanted to become a more focused and intentional artist.
The inspiration came from reliving my own experience, the process of trying to pull myself together creatively. I began creating the works in 2023 and completed them in 2024.
ANY OTHER WORDS?
My words to other artists are this: the sky is big enough for all birds to fly. There will always be room for your creative expression. Don’t stop what you’re doing just because it’s not financially encouraging at the moment, there’s always a way around it. It saddens me when talented artists give up on their art journey.
I want to encourage artists to keep going. Stay true to your art, no matter how little time or effort you’re able to dedicate to it. You can pursue other interests or work other jobs to earn a living, but don’t abandon your passion. Stick with it, it will eventually be worth it.
I also want people to know that my works are for creatives; to see, reflect on, and find themselves through the lens of my art. I hope it inspires them to stay true to their craft and keep creating.
