"Experimentation has a way of forcing one to constantly invent new ground to walk on" (U.J. Chima)
Interview by: Loren Hansi Momodu
Nigeria is a country famous for great painting masters who have proven their skills with the caviar of artistic materials – oil and canvas. However, as times and artistic appetites are changing so are the ingredients of the artists´ pallet. Mixed–media art is a means of probing a further dimension of our consciousness – the resulting textures reaching out from the work. It is also a method that many artists feel is better able to communicate the variety of angles from which they are approaching complex issues in their work.
Emerging mixed–media artist Uchay Joel Chima talks to arc about his use of mixed media as tools of expression and how it has enabled him to focus on his latest project – Environment. Since graduating from Enugu Art School in 1997 he has exhibited in Nigeria, South Africa and Canada and he most recently appeared in an exhibition in Enugu state which was part of a state sponsored cultural event Art for "Things Fall Apart at 50". He is an artist that uses the conversation between material and topic in order to add another dimension to his work; his use of an ancient material such as charcoal to discuss the very contemporary issue of climate change creates a fundamental link between past, present and future.
Uchay describes himself as a ‘multi–media’ artist that uses whatever lights the inspirational spark. "My approaches are conventional and unconventional because I strive to make personal statements with my work, which leads me to constantly search for materials that can help me to express the ideas that I have conceived inside." Next to his mixed media work Uchay is also an avid fan of the medium ‘video’: "it shows how restless I am when it comes to doing art, which also spells my temperament."
But his most used material is charcoal for all it represents. "For me, charcoal is symbolic. It represents all the colours of the universe – being totally black and even as in the simile – ‘…As black as charcoal’. It is the embodiment of all colours. It represents crisis around the world as it relates to economic melt down and environmental degradation. It represents all the trees that have been cut down leading to deforestation. It also represents the rich mineral resources in our land like ‘Black Gold – the Crude Oil’ and all the ‘wahala’ it has brought about in the Niger Delta."
Uchay grew up in the coal city of Enugu, which made him come into contact with the AKA Group of Artists, whose shows he started to attend in the 80´s. Alongside this, he has had the privilege to visit the studios of Nsikak Essien and Tony Okoh which stimulated him to pursue his career in the arts. "I studied at the Enugu Art School where most of the Artists that I admired had graduated and some of them had become lecturers. Enugu Art School expanded my body of knowledge in visual art by a seemingly unrepentant knack for continuous experimentation with ideas, media and techniques flowing in the eastern Nigerian cultural climate."
The opportunities that university and life gave Uchay have allowed him to experiment with different styles. He mentions that: "Experimentation has a way of forcing one to constantly invent new ground to walk on, pushing back the limits of thought, technique and language. I can say that I have had a series of departures from styles and approaches that I have employed in my practice."
When discussing the attributes that inspire his work, [the inspirations behind his work] it quickly becomes clear that Uchay calls upon a broad spectrum of influences – especially his living environment, which is an important factor. "My environment is what I consider to be the first picture that I relate to art. It is where we live and you can´t close your eyes to that. I started drawing trees, people and houses from my kindergarten days because those were the things that fascinated me. I enjoy spending quiet moments observing nature, exploring shapes, colours, design; my interpretation of objects, subjects and happenings around me is what I transfer to available spaces".
Being as close to nature as he is, Uchay has had much difficulty watching the environmental changes around him. "These days we hear about climate change and global warming. They are not only occurring but they are a serious global threat which demands an urgent global response. I have witnessed definite changes in my environment – the heat now is killing when there is a rise in temperature. The trees in the parks and around our homes are cut down without being replaced. I am presently working on a project called ‘Residue Collection of Societal and Environmental Mishaps: HABITAT LOSS’. The project was birthed to promote and create awareness for socio–economic aesthetics, and a conservative environmental–based lifestyle, as a contribution to climate protection."
The connection between art and battling climate change may seem strange and far fetched at first. When I asked Uchay how he sees the relationship between this science of climate change and art he mentioned: "The gap between art and science is not as wide as it used to be, though the method of experimentation differs. Artists now see their role as researchers – gathering, documenting and ordering a world of objects, facts, ideas, events and occurrences."
Not only this, the role of artists goes much deeper: "The root of science lies in the discipline of natural history with its reverence for landscape and natural phenomena. Art has a voice and Artists are the mouth piece. Since environmental issues pose major global challenges, the call of an artist is ‘tell it as it is’," by which he creates a role for the artist to build a bridge between science and society. "I feel that art should be used as a tool to create awareness of global warming and the need for environmental protection. I think that there are few artists that are engaged in the fight against global warming and, with the involvement of more artists, the impact will be felt."
As I end the interview we start talking about his future. Uchay will spend most of his time working on the HABITAT LOSS project, and he has been invited to China to work on a project called Art Channel. With this busy schedule we will be looking forward to seeing much more from this great artist.
In future publications I will be interviewing Ghariokwu Lemi, Obi Ekwenchi, Nyemike Onwuka, Isimah, Emeka Ani and many more of Africa´s established and emerging artists. So sign up to our newsletter to find out who will be next.