Patrick Chuka

Life in Pen and Pencil  

Amatoritsero Ede: Why do you work in pencils or Ink rather than acrylic colours?

Patrick Chuka: I prefer working with graphite and charcoal pencils because it is such a flexible medium, you can literally achieve and texture or style with them. My use of ink is a relatively new development for me, I try to experiment as often as I can and also try to be innovative with it. Also, ink is by far the most available and the cheapest medium on can use to make art. I also paint, but not as often as I draw. I use oil paint, water colour, and Acrylic paint.

A.E.: What if any is the philosophical or conceptual framework behind your artistic practice?      

P.C.: I realized that our world has problems and people pay attention to art. So that means, with my work I can at least try to proffer solutions to these problems, I can tackle them. People pay attention to art doesn’t mean they wouldn’t ignore the ones that do not suit their preference, so I try to master a lot of media and create pieces that would be hard to ignore and would still be relevant many year from now.

A.E.: I note that in some of your work, you leave the image of a pencil/pen embedded in the work itself  either as drawing or as a picture superimposed on the work Why? 

P.C.: I actually don’t do this anymore, but when I did, I tried to show it was a drawing made with pencils, and probably give an Idea of the pencil I used. 

A.E.: At what stage would you say your work as an artist is at?

P.C.: I’m still at the very early stages of developing my skill. I like to call it the “Experimental phase” because I’m still experimenting. Testing what works with what, how I can fuse two different mediums and still mapping out the direction my art would from here. 

A.E.:  Did you have any formal art training or is this all just raw talent?

P.C.: No, I didn’t have any formal training. And no, it’s not talent.  I’ve always drawn, just random lines and patterns that weren’t really appealing to the eye but as recently as 2016, I came across a few artistic works and these inspired me to get better. I saw how these artists pushed the boundaries. This inspired a mental projection in me where I don’t see boundaries anymore. What we can achieve with art is almost limitless.

A.E.: What are your artistic career goals, if any or is this all just hobby?

P.C.: My career goals are endless, and I can’t say my career has started yet, like I said, I’m still in the experimental phase. It used to be a hobby but now It has become my life. I draw every day and with every shade and stroke I feel like I’m creating the future I want to see. My biggest artistic career goals for now is to create a platform where I can showcase the works of young artists to a strong market. I want to do this because right now, I need that platform, I wish it was available, to try and support my family and put myself through school. But it isn’t within reach. So, I’d create this platform where families, societies and large communities can appreciate talent and hard work and these artists would be useful to themselves and the world. One good deed produces two more. The world would be a better place to learn and grow with your gift.

A.E.: Do you belong to any artistic groups or schools?

P.C.: No, I don’t belong to any. There’s no community of such designs in Nigeria. I just have a few friends that are artist so we just constantly exchange Idea’s.

A.E.: What is the art scene like out there and how does this inspire your work, if at all?

P.C.: The art scene could be better, its growing, that’s for sure. More people recognize our work. But It can still get better. The only way to make profits out of our work is to market outside Africa, and that’s sad.

A.E.: Which artists were your mentors or inspiration

P.C.: My major inspiration and people I aspire to be like are Sylvester Aguda, Arinze Stanley and Ken Nwadiogbu.

A.E.:  Do you intend to pursue art as an academic study say as in studying art history? 

P.C.: I actually want to study fine and Applied art in a Higher institution. It would materialize in coming years.

A.E.: Have you yet had any exhibitions public or private?

P.C.: I haven’t had one yet, but I’m currently lined up with a few young artists to exhibit before the end of the year.

 A.E.: Finally, MTLS would like to thank you for taking the time out from your schedule to talk to us.