Igbobinna Eze

Igbobinna Eze is a Nigerian artist currently based in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

From an early age, Obi grew up experiencing the traditional culture of the Igbo people that surrounded him. Mask culture and indigenous artistic expression had a major influence on shaping his creative spirit. His mother was also an accomplished artist, and his maternal grandmother was a talented singer, so he was heavily influenced by his maternal cultural background, and he developed a natural ability to express himself.

His signature series, "Asụsụobi," means "Letters of the Heart/Soul," and is known as a group of spontaneous works that incorporate the structure of a letter itself. The text of the letter is formed with continuous brushstrokes, and the narrative is visually expanded by later additions of pictographic ideas and symbols in the margins, creating a structure that invites each viewer to interpret it differently.

These expressions are heavily influenced by Nsibidi, an ancient writing system found in southeastern Nigeria, and through these "letters," he invites viewers to spend a quiet moment contemplating language and letters, encouraging them to discover their own unique meaning. "Life can never be fully understood, but we can create our own meaning in the process of living" - this is the idea that underlies his work.

Educational background

Obi graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, majoring in painting. In 2023, he was recognized as the best drawer and painter in his class and held his first solo exhibition shortly after graduating.

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Winner of the 2022 Gerald Chukwuma prize for painting