Today we’d like to introduce you to Paschal Ugwu.
Paschal, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My interest in art started from childhood, though I can’t guess the actual year. Then, I made my drawings on the floor, molded with sand and constructed anything that tickles my fancy using available materials around me, while playing with my peers.
Art became more fun during my secondary school days where I made cartoons, comics, and Drawings of my favorite movie stars like Jackie Chan, Sylvester Stallone, Steven Seagal, Arnold Schwarzenneger to mention but few. Some of my references were gotten from the movie disc jacket and book covers. There were few of us with the burning desire in Art, which brought about perceived competition among ourselves as one would like to be like the other or more than the other artist. This had contributed to a great improvement in my drawing skills.
I studied Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Painting and Drawing, 2018. My Dad wanted me to study Architecture being fully aware of my drawing skills. But he never objected to my decision of choosing Fine Art either. He could say, ‘If Art is what makes you feel better, you have my full support’. I am presently residing in Nigeria.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The practice of Art has not been an easy task for some of us in search of greener pastures. I tend to find it difficult to access some of the essential aids that enable growth in my Art practice. These vital things are finance and recognition.
Although my major aim of practicing Art is not for the income aspect of it, finance is very essential as it serves as petroleum that fuels my goal. The aspect of paying off bills, provision of working materials, feeding and other responsibilities involves finance which their unavailability alters the smooth flow of my Art practice.
Secondly, my attempt of getting my Artworks to reach the right audience, recognition, has been so challenging. The fact that I keep creating Artworks does not mean that I love rising every day to see my Artworks ‘just there’ staring at me. I prefer seeing my Artworks perform those functions, tell those stories, communicate to the world, which is how it’s meant to be.
Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an Artist, a Painter, who is presently interested in telling tales of the Emotions and Motivations using Oil, Acrylic, mixed media(Oil and Jute) on canvas as a medium of artistic expression. I am inspired by the activities in my immediate environment, experiences, nature, and individual reactions to these.
Most times, the bad situations in a society affects human beings psychologically, leading one into either supporting the saying ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, or completely giving up hope or on life. This has triggered many individuals into committing all sorts of atrocities which tarnishes their image and negatively affects the society.
My aim, through my Art, is to stir up a motivational spirit and love, sense of hope, reminding the society of the solutions within which is not by choosing the negative path.
I am currently exploring a style which involves my creative romance with fluid, energetic, and rhythmical flow of lines, perceived from the movement of liquid when stirred, to express my impression of a continuous flow of emotions which captures a frenzy of the known within the unknown. I portray this using impressionism and abstract styles of Art.
In the end, I would say that I have achieved my aim if I am able to stir up positive remedies and sense of hope within the individuals in the society and make them realize the burning strengths within them. Likewise, create a relieved state of mind among individuals in a society.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up as a kid was full of fun. I spent most of my childhood days playing with or without friends around, getting my school uniform dirty as a result of playing with sand. I was also a stubborn type that never quits while fighting but later dropped the character while growing up. In terms of decision-making, one has to prove me wrong with strong evidence, otherwise, I remain the winner. Then, I was unaware of the great task ahead. I could also remember making drawings, like cars, human beings, motorcycles, on a bare floor, and also on most of my notebooks, most especially when the teaching gets boring. I am more of a visual learner, I hardly forget what I have seen nor stories I have been told or held, but theories get me bored. I was only interested in becoming a Doctor or Barrister, which I learned were the are the best profession, little did I know that Art profession exists.
Contact Info:
- Phone: +2348139097793
- Email: blaiseartista@gmail.come
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/paschal_art?igshid=1iq76vcacpjfh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ugwu.paschal.12
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