Victor Ekpuk

Victor Ekpuk (born 1964) is a Nigerian-born artist from Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. He is currently based in Washington, D.C. Ekpuk came to prominence through his paintings and drawings, which reflect indigenous African philosophies of the Nsibidi and Uli art forms. Quotes I believe that our self-consciousness is borne from memory. I observe identity as an ephemeral condition that is always in flux. Essentially we are all a sum of different parts that are shaped by circumstances. There is always recognition of some personal memory in the collective. Because it is, after all, a human story. Expression of the human condition greatly influences what I’ve brought into my work. I was born a few years before the Nigeria/Biafra civil war. And have grown up most of my life under successions of coups and military juntas. The mismanagement of the common wealth of Nigeria has led to gradual degradation of the quality of life of the citizenry. Art created a channel for which I could respond to these conditions. Aside from the socio-political, Africa and in particular Nigeria’s rich artistic culture has nurtured and informed my own aesthetics far more than any other. This cultural milieu is where my own artistic forms take root. Philosophy studies the fundamental nature of reality, knowledge and existence. In so far as art, culture, and artist exist, philosophy is necessary to enable the thinking and understanding of the three. Yes, both fields can influence one another. I made an example above of how my analysis of the aesthetic philosophy of nsibidi influenced my art. My works frequently investigate the human condition of identity, politics, social, cultural and psychological. “Meditation on Memory Series” or “Drawing memories series” explores the notion of memory, which one derives a sense of self/identity as an ephemeral condition that is constantly in flux and could be affected by life circumstances. This series of work was inspired by my personal experience as an immigrant. Or the condition of the living in diaspora with a dual consciousness of ancestral home and the new home. I realized that this system of knowledge [Nsibidi] was part of my cultural heritage. As a kid, I experienced it when I played with other kids during masquerade ceremonies, trying to guess the meaning of Nsibidi signs drawn on the ground or performed. Elders would joke that if we could decode them, we were members of the Ekpo or Ekpe Society; otherwise, we were in trouble for not keeping our distance from the masquerade as nonmembers. I am fascinated by the head as an anatomical part that carries a face by which we can be identified. Heads also perform a physiological function as the seat of consciousness, enabling humans to become aware of life itself and to retain memory. African spiritual philosophy maintains that our individual life on earth is predetermined by the condition of the metaphysical "head." Over the years, I've looked for nondescriptive ways to portray the head. Whether titled "portraits," "masks," or "heads," these artworks are all portraits examining the human condition. I usually stylize the head, reaching a degree of abstraction only to retain the essence of the form. My work at the newspaper fed my political awareness, but I could not avoid it anyway. I was living under a repressive junta. Sometimes, on my way to work, I would have witnessed enough oppression and abuse of power in the life around me to give me content [without having to read the news]. I offer political commentary in some of my paintings, but in drawing there is more immediacy of expression. I manipulate lines to express emotion. I want my works to be starting points for dialogue, new discoveries into the differences and commonalities among cultures. https://theconversation.com/victor-ekpuk-is-a-nigerian-artist-who-uses-ancient-african-graphic-writing-systems-to-unveil-a-stunning-new-display-of-creativity-219040 As an African in the diaspora, I share in this history of artists not being appreciated – not because their work is not good, but because of the color of their skin. https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/victor-ekpuk-exhibition-get-up-stand-up We’ve experienced a lot of appropriation of the ideas of African creativity, but haven’t had the creators at the center. https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/victor-ekpuk-exhibition-get-up-stand-up There’s also the sense of reducing ideas to their essence, because that’s what the art form is about – to reduce ideas or concepts to graphic symbols. https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/victor-ekpuk-exhibition-get-up-stand-up External links Category:Living people Category:1964 births Category:Artists from Nigeria