For generations, Nigerian female artists have created works that challenge perceptions, tell untold stories, and shape the cultural landscape of the country. However, in a male-dominated industry, these talented women have often had to fight twice as hard for recognition, representation, and respect.
FAB L’Style Magazine proudly launches the FEAAN Spotlight Series, a tribute to the extraordinary female artists of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN). This series will delve into their personal and artistic journeys, shedding light on the women who have transformed Nigeria’s art scene and continue to push creative boundaries.
Our first feature highlights Chinyere Ibenye, a contemporary impressionist and Vice President of FEAAN, whose vibrant, storytelling-inspired works capture the essence of African identity and personal expression. From drawing on the dusty streets of Osina during the Nigerian Civil War to earning a Fine Arts degree in the U.S., her journey is one of passion, perseverance, and artistic evolution.
The Early Years: Discovering a Passion for Art
FAB: Can you tell us about your background and how you first discovered your passion for art?
Chinyere Ibenye: My name is Chinyere Ibenye, and I am currently the Vice President of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria. My journey as an artist began at a very young age. During the Nigerian Civil War, our parents took us back to our hometown, Osina, which is now in Imo State but was part of Eastern Nigeria at the time.
While living in Osina, as children, we often went outside to play. I would draw on the ground with sticks, not understanding the significance of it at the time. After the Civil War, our parents brought us back to Lagos, where I continued my primary education. Later, I proceeded to secondary school, where I was formally introduced to art. In Class 3, the school employed an art teacher who took a particular interest in my drawings. It was through his encouragement that I discovered my passion for art.
Another person who greatly influenced my journey was my late father, Chief Edmund I. Onuchukwu (Omenyiri 1 of Osina). When I showed him the list of art materials my teacher had given me, he went to an art supply shop and bought everything on the list. His support helped nurture my dream of becoming an artist.
FAB: What inspires your work?
Chinyere Ibenye: Things that inspire me sometimes come from the most unlikely places. For example, I often find inspiration in the clouds, where I see images that others may not notice. I am also inspired by reading books, as well as by the beauty of sights and sounds around me.
FAB: Do you remember the first artwork you ever created? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
Chinyere Ibenye: The first artwork I ever created was a still-life drawing assigned by our art teacher. I was so proud of that piece and of myself that I hung it on the wall of my bedroom, where it stayed until I graduated from secondary school. Afterward, I attended the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California, in the United States of America, where I studied Fine Arts and earned a degree in Fine Art.
FAB: Who are your biggest influences (whether in the art world or outside of it)?
Chinyere Ibenye: As a student of Fine Arts, I was introduced to various periods and styles of art from both the ancient and modern worlds during Art History classes. These lessons had a profound impact on me and significantly influenced my development as an artist. I vividly remember my first Art History class on Ancient Egyptian art. Seeing pictures of the bust of the famous Queen Nefertiti and the painting of King Tutankhamun hunting, depicted on the chest found in his tomb, left a lasting impression on me. The vibrant colors of those artworks stayed with me. Another era that greatly influenced me was the Renaissance period, particularly their masterful use of deep, rich colors.
FAB: How would you describe your artistic style, and what makes it unique?
Chinyere Ibenye: I consider myself a contemporary impressionist, incorporating my design skills into my artworks. My paintings are typically colourful, vibrant, and energetic, reflecting my Africanism and personality, which makes my style unique.
FAB: What’s your creative process like, from the moment an idea comes to you to the final piece?
Chinyere Ibenye: My creative process begins with inspiration, usually sparked by seeing something or reading a book. I then visualise the idea in my mind. The next step is to sketch or create an impression of the idea on my drawing pad. If I plan to paint with oil or acrylics, I transfer the sketch to canvas. However, for watercolour painting, I transfer the image onto watercolour paper using tracing paper. After that, the painting process begins.
As a painter, I enjoy working with various mediums—oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints. However, for quick projects, I prefer acrylic paints because they dry faster than oil paints. As an artist, I am always learning and exploring new ways to improve my craft. Lately, I have been focusing on dotting, also known as Pointillism. I am exploring ways to make my Pointillism unique by adding texture to my dotting, rather than keeping it flat. I truly enjoy using dots to create pictures.
FAB: Is there a specific theme or message that runs through your work?
Chinyere Ibenye: Each artwork I create tells a story inspired by an event, something I have seen, or something I have read. As a contemporary impressionist, my goal is to use my art to tell stories that uplift the mood of viewers or audiences through cheerful, vibrant colors and stylized images.
FAB: As a female artist in Nigeria, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
Chinyere Ibenye: As a female artist, I want to talk about the experiences of women in a male-dominated field, particularly in the visual arts here in Nigeria. We are not in competition with our male counterparts, but it is not easy being a female visual artist in this part of the world.
Some art collectors, who are mostly men, are reluctant to invest in works created by female artists, no matter how good the pieces are. This is one of the significant challenges we face. As a result, we, as women, must work twice as hard to prove ourselves and gain the respect we deserve in a male-dominated society.
Additionally, some parents refuse to support their daughters who choose to study Fine Arts at university, going as far as withholding tuition fees simply because of their chosen field. I consider myself blessed to have had the support of two very important men in my life: my late father, who paid my tuition to study Fine Arts despite people telling him he was wasting his money on me, and my husband, Prince Cyprian Ibenye-Ugbala, who has always supported me in everything I do.
FAB: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
Chinyere Ibenye: The most rewarding moment of my career so far was being presented with an Award of Excellence by Nike Gallery. It felt incredible to be recognized for what I do, and it made a world of difference to me. This recognition has motivated me to work even harder.
FAB: Have you ever doubted your abilities as an artist? If so, how did you push through those moments?
Chinyere Ibenye: No, I have never doubted my abilities as an artist. However, sometimes when I have too many ideas running through my head and need to organize them, I take a break from painting and do a bit of sewing.
FAB: How do you confront the conflict between creating for yourself and meeting market or audience demands?
Chinyere Ibenye: That is a big challenge that most true artists go through. I always feel sad when I sell any of my artworks. However, as an artist, I need to earn a living from my work. So, no matter how difficult it is to let go, I sell the piece and console myself by saying that since I created it, I can always recreate it.
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The Role of Women in Nigeria’s Visual Art Industry
FAB: How would you describe the state of the art scene in Nigeria, particularly for women?
Chinyere Ibenye: Despite visual arts receiving little to no support from the government or its agencies, the Nigerian art scene has been transformed into a vibrant and thriving community, largely thanks to the efforts of one woman—Chief Mrs. Nike Davies-Okundaye. She is the founder of the renowned Nike Gallery, which is widely regarded as the best gallery in Nigeria and Africa. She has brought Nigerian art, artists, and culture to the global stage and has positively impacted the lives of Nigerian artists, both male and female. Through her unwavering dedication, she has continuously promoted Nigerian art and artists both locally and internationally.
Chief Mrs. Nike Davies-Okundaye has also been a strong pillar for the Female Artists Association of Nigeria. She consistently provides us with platforms to showcase our artworks in her galleries and other venues, exposing us to the world and elevating our profiles as artists.
FAB: What changes would you like to see in how female artists are supported and recognised in Nigeria?
Chinyere Ibenye: The change I would like to see in the support of female artists is for serious art collectors to invest in our works. Our artworks are just as good as those of our male counterparts, and in some cases, even better. However, living in a patriarchal society has made it challenging for female artists to gain the recognition they deserve. Despite this, thanks to the remarkable achievements of Chief Mrs. Nike Davies-Okundaye, we are gradually being recognized as a force in the Nigerian art scene.
FAB: What role do you think art plays in addressing societal issues, especially those affecting women?
Chinyere Ibenye: The role of art in addressing the issues facing women in society is very important. That is why, as members of the Female Artists Association, we join the world every year to celebrate International Women’s Day in March. We always host an art exhibition where we use our artworks to highlight the challenges women and girls face in Nigeria, particularly issues of gender inequality, such as violence against women and girls, and advocate for change.
