Featured Artist Ken Nwadiogbu

Carolyn Edlund

Artist Ken Nwadiogbu’s hyperrealistic drawings highlight social injustice and advocate for positive change.

“HRM Pere of Isaba Kingdom” Charcoal, Gold Leaf and Acrylic on Canvas, 54” x 66”

Though a civil and environmental engineering graduate, I started doodling in my books while in class. My bad habit turned into research, research turned into hunger, hunger turned into addiction, addiction turned into love.

“HRM Oba of Benin” Charcoal, Gold Leaf, Acrylic and Old Newspaper on Canvas, 54” x 66”

I used to skip classes to work at my parent’s place over and over again. But now, after graduation and being alone, I just sleep and work every day, every night, without consideration of time.

“If Dreams Were Made for You” Charcoal, Acrylic and Pen on Canvas, 54” x 90”

My artwork explores, evaluates, interrogates and challenges sociopolitical structures and issues within society, for the purpose of giving a voice to the voiceless through hyperrealism.

“If I Start to Talk II” Charcoal and Old Newspaper on Paper, 32” x 51”

Often referencing African cultures, my work also touches on gender equality, black power, tribal discrimination and feminine denigration.

“Soldier” Charcoal on Paper, 33” x 44”

I strive to highlight the relationship between pain, war, sorrow, anguish, sadness and art.

“Where Do We Go From Here” Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas, 81” x 47”

Through figurative hyperrealistic drawings and works on paper, my art advocates positive changes in society. It calls out some of the problems; hence, positioning me as an “activist on canvas.”

“Batu” Charcoal on Paper, 33” x 44”

I grew up in a country where politics, race and feminism were and still are dividing issues.

“The Value of Nothing I” Charcoal and Paper Collage on Paper, 52” x 60”

Slowly those issues become part of the society’s foundation and because of it, there seems to be no change or development. Growing up in an environment that uplifts so many ill-things, it drove me to use my art to speak about these things.

“Witnesses” Charcoal on Paper, 73” x 44”

My goal for my art is to move completely from trying to make a space beautiful to using it to become a strong activist against the wrongs of my society and the world as a whole.