Mofunanya Ojukwu

I’m neither saint nor sinner, I’m just an Artist ~ M.O

Mofunanya Ojukwu, hailing from Anambra State, Nigeria, and raised in University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in Enugu State, Nigeria, was immersed in a culture rich in academic heritage. His parents served as lecturers at the esteemed University of Nigeria, Ojukwu, fostering an early commitment to learning and honing his artistic talents. From a young age, Ojukwu displayed a penchant for the arts, influenced by the melodic tunes his father crafted on the guitar during the ’90s. His formative years were spent traversing Nigeria with his family, absorbing the diverse cultural tapestry that continues to shape his artistic endeavors.

Having obtained a bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts with a specialization in Painting from the University of Benin, Nigeria, Ojukwu embarked on a creative journey inspired by revered artists such as Uche Okeke, El Anatsui, and Krydz Ikwuemesi.

Recalling a pivotal moment as a curious twelve-year-old peeking through the window to witness Krydz Ikwuemesi’s ink drawings at the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, Ojukwu drew inspiration from the budding artist. Subsequently, in the period from February to September 1996, he served as an apprentice of El Anatsui at the African Studio in Nsukka, Nigeria.

Ojukwu engaged in numerous exhibitions and auctions of his work in Nigeria before seeking fresh inspiration in South Africa, where he participated in the successful “Art in The Garden” exhibition at the Alice Art Gallery in Roodepoort in 2017. Also participated in the 2019 Pan-African Art, Visual and Cultural Artistry Meets Entrepreneurship held at 22 on Sloane, in Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Following a period of introspection into his identity and place in the world, Ojukwu produced a series of artworks, each narrating a distinct story born from his profound reflections.