I find Faith’s works breathtakingly rich in color and full of grace and poetry. I savor every hue, nuance, and shape of them as I immerse myself in their stories. Faith’s art breathes life and literally illuminates mine.

So, it was a pleasure to meet this talented artist by video call to get to know more about her and her artistic journey.

As long as she remembers, Faith has always loved art. As a child, she loved to draw and reproduce everything she saw in her environment, especially family photos. Growing up, she particularly enjoyed challenging her drawing-loving older brother to see who could produce the most lifelike family portrait. Her brother usually won the challenge, remarking to Faith that her portraits were more like caricatures.

However, this didn’t deter her from nurturing her artistic passion and continuing to practice it. It was while attending the University of Benin (Benin City, Nigeria) that Faith realized that drawing was more than just a hobby for her. She decided to switch from a mass communications program to a painting program, where her love for art, discipline, perseverance, and determination enabled her to earn her bachelor’s degree in painting with flying colors.

While approaching Rele Gallery, a renowned gallery in Nigeria, Faith realized during an interview that, while she undeniably possessed great talent, she needed to refine the message she sought to convey through her art: “What do I want to say through my art?” This is the question that prompted Faith to rethink the essence of her art.

Through rigorous self-analysis and relentless practice, she eventually found the answer to that question. Indeed, through her art, she wanted to show her truth, her own emotions, and her love for her African heritage and who she is; that is an African woman who is aware of her true worth and who respects herself, both internally and externally.

As a result, Faith’s art has matured into the beautiful style it is today. Her work explores African cultures, traditions, lifestyles, feminine and masculine aesthetics, and family settings at their most touching and grotesque. Faith aims to use her art as a means of raising awareness and activism by exposing African complexities.

I particularly enjoyed discussing with her thorny issues in the world’s black community, such as the acceptance of one’s natural hair as a criterion of beauty. Indeed, ever since she was a little girl, Faith has adored her natural hair (which she won’t let anyone touch) and she always makes sure to protect and maintain it, to show the world that it’s a gift from God and not a burden to be hidden or deformed.

Thank you so much, Faith, for this most interesting, authentic, and enjoyable interview. Please continue to amaze us with your art.

You can purchase some of her sublime works here: https://mawuartgallery.com/product/bantu-knot/

You can follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/okorodudu.faith/?hl=en

Location: Lagos (Nigeria)