Chiedu Okonta: Painting the Intersections of Culture, Place, and Global Issues

Artist and Visual Art Open 2025 Painting, Mixed Media & Printmaking category winner, Chiedu Okonta has captured attention with his evocative work We no go wear Hoodie for house, a meditation on the Niger Delta’s environmental and social crises.

Chiedu has developed a practice that blends meticulous craft with deeply felt socio-political commentary, exploring the intersections of community, resilience, and ecological concern.

From Engineering to Art: Following the Call of Creativity

Born in Nigeria to middle-class parents who emphasised education over creativity, Chiedu demonstrated artistic talent from an early age. “Although I received encouragement from my parents and teachers, it was mainly directed towards keeping art as a hobby rather than a profession,” he reflects.

Despite his talents, he initially pursued civil engineering, a career he continues to practice to some extent. But the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a turning point. “I realised that the urge to pursue my true passion in art would never leave me, and I needed to follow this path for fulfilment,” he says.

After building a portfolio, Chiedu applied to the Royal College of Art’s Graduate Diploma program, describing the experience as transformative. “It changed and shaped my artistic journey. Attending RCA liberated me from my fears of sticking to what I knew, allowing me to experiment and appreciate different mediums as the most fitting means of self-expression.” In 2024, he returned for the MA Painting course, thanks to the Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship, a move he credits with boosting both his confidence and creative scope.

Creating from Lived Experience

Chiedu’s work is firmly rooted in the personal and the local, while addressing global issues. “I have always believed in creating from lived experiences and personal perspectives,” he explains. His practice interrogates socio-economic and geopolitical realities, often grounded in the Niger Delta, his place of origin. “These are issues that are important to me as they have had an effect on either myself or my community,” he adds.

His approach also challenges contemporary expectations of attention and time. “I recognise the brevity of audiences’ attention spans. My detailed and meticulous process is fashioned to captivate viewers and encourage deep and thoughtful reflection.”

Speculative Futures in the Niger Delta

His VAO-winning piece, We no go wear Hoodie for house, addresses decades of exploitation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta. The work, originally titled A 9Ja (Niger Delta) Speculative Future, imagines a regenerated, thriving region. “Everyone from the region who understands the crisis shares a common desire: regeneration, peace, security, equity, and healing—for both the communities and the environment,” Chiedu says. The piece embodies that hope and aspiration, a thought and dream for a better future.

Chiedu's Experience with the Visual Art Open Prize

Exhibiting at the VAO Finalists Exhibition was both affirming and inspiring. “Walking into the venue and discovering that I was the winner of the Painting, Mixed Media & Printmaking category was both a delight and an honour,” he says. Beyond the personal accolade, he valued the opportunity to engage with fellow artists, judges, and organisers.

“Being a winner also helped as a confidence booster to keep working, pushing boundaries and enjoying the art of making itself."

Lessons from a Creative Journey

Looking back, Chiedu emphasises the importance of authenticity and experimentation. “The courage to speak your truth and the freedom to think outside the box and experiment - those are my main takeaways,” he says. Even when tackling heavy or traumatic issues, he reminds himself to find joy in the process: “Being an artist is not just what we do; it’s who we are.”

He also offers a note of caution to himself and others starting out:

“Do not compare your artistic practice to that of others. Remember, it’s a marathon, and the finish line - if there is one - is unique to each individual artist.”

Where to Explore Chiedu Okonta’s Work

• Website: www.chieduokonta.com

• Instagram: @chieduokonta

Take a glimpse into a practice that bridges personal narrative, social commentary, and speculative imagination.