When I first encountered Courage’s work—especially his Memories series—it stirred something deep within me. His paintings eloquently express how our memories, whether joyful or painful, shape who we are and how we move through the world. I was so moved by the emotional depth and conceptual clarity of his art that I reached out to learn more. We soon connected over a Zoom call, where I discovered not only the thoughtful mind behind the art but also the personal story, challenges, and dreams that fuel his creative journey.

Courage Onyekachi Opara is a contemporary Nigerian artist based in Owerri, Imo State. From a young age, he showed a remarkable gift for art, drawing inspiration from illustrated storybooks that ignited his imagination. After obtaining a National Technical Certificate in decorative painting from the Federal Science and Technical College in Jalingo, he pursued a B.A. in Fine Arts and Design from the University of Port Harcourt. Despite the socio-economic challenges of being an artist in his region, Courage has spent decades devoted to his craft, working full-time as a studio painter and forging ahead with resilience and quiet strength.

Courage’s work is a vivid blend of imagination and realism, often infused with surreal elements that evoke emotional depth. He draws from his environment and society, capturing inner moments that often escape the lens of a camera. His current medium of choice is acrylic, which he uses to create layered scenes of introspection and vulnerability. His art centers on the quiet, often unseen experiences of individual reflection—the solitary spaces where people confront their memories, struggles, and truths.

As Courage himself puts it, his intention is to offer his art as a form of therapy—an emotional mirror for those grappling with the tides of life in a world that often feels isolating. He sees memories not as burdens but as fragments of beauty, like pieces of a broken vase that, when assembled, tell the story of our lives. His work invites viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps find healing in the shared experience of being human.

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You can follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/o.o.courage/

Location: Oweri (Nigeria)