About Chukwuemerie Paschal Onyemaechi :
Tell us about your artistic background and experience. What led you to pursue art as a creative outlet?:
I didn’t find art, art found me. I grew up in an environment where emotions weren’t always easy to express. Drawing became my escape, my therapy, and eventually, my purpose. I didn’t have access to fancy tools, but I had paper, pencils, and a burning need to translate feelings into visuals.
Over the years, I taught myself, experimented, failed, tried again, and slowly started to understand my own voice as an artist. It wasn’t about chasing perfection but about finding truth. Every sketch, every piece, became a part of me learning to speak without words.
What inspires you as an artist? Are there specific themes or subjects that you find yourself drawn to?:
I’m inspired by raw, honest, and unfiltered kind of life. The quiet strength of a child, the tired beauty in someone’s eyes, moments of reflection, culture, struggle, faith, and hope those are the things I’m drawn to.
I often find myself creating around themes like identity, emotional resilience, hidden pain, and cultural pride. I love capturing what people feel but rarely say. Whether it’s through a lone figure, a facial expression, or symbolic elements. I create pieces that ask the viewer to feel something.
What do you hope to communicate or evoke through your art? Is there a specific message or emotion that you strive to convey to your audience?
Through my art, I want to reach the parts of people that words often miss. I’m not just trying to impress the eye, I’m trying to speak to the soul. I hope that when someone looks at my work, they feel something stir… something familiar, maybe even something unspoken.
I aim to communicate raw truth, silent, and emotional. Whether it's a piece about silent pain, forgotten childhood, cultural pride, or the quiet strength behind a tired gaze, I want each artwork to feel real.
My message is simple but deep: you are not alone, your story matters, and even in brokenness, there’s beauty. If I can make someone pause, reflect, and feel seen, then my art has done its job.
Are there any particular artists or art movements that have influenced your work? How have they shaped your artistic perspective?
Yes, I’ve been deeply moved by the works of artists who focus on human emotion and social realism—like Zok art, Sylvie Mehdel, and even the raw storytelling of Nigerian artists like Arinze Stanley, Obinna Iro, and Mayor Olajide
What connects me to them isn’t just technique, it’s purpose. They use their craft to tell real stories, amplify unheard voices, and document emotion. That’s how I approach my work too. I’ve learned that art isn’t just decoration but reflection, resistance, and release.
Their influence reminded me that it’s okay for my work to be personal. To make people feel uncomfortable, or soft, or seen. That’s where the power is.
How do you handle criticism or feedback on your artwork? How do you use it to grow and improve as an artist?
I see criticism as a tool, not an attack. It helps me grow and see from different perspectives. While not every critique feels good at first, I’ve learned to sit with it, separate emotion from intent, and ask myself, “What can I learn from this?” If the feedback is constructive, I apply it. If it’s harsh but honest, I reflect on it. If it’s just noise, I move on. Growth requires thick skin and open ears.
Are there any specific goals or aspirations you have for your artistic career? How do you plan to pursue them?
Yes. I want to have my own solo exhibition one day and create a space for young creatives to explore and grow. I plan to keep showing up, entering contests, building my body of work, learning from others, and using every chance to evolve. I’m not just chasing success; I’m chasing impact
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