To view the figures of Nnamdi Okonkwo is to witness the presence of peace, resilience, and strength. One is able to glimpse moments and gestures, which demand more than a passing glance but a delving into their simple lines and fluid shapes. Okonkwo, born in Nigeria,was drawn to art from childhood, an inclination always encouraged by his mother. By the time he was seventeen he knew two things: he was artistic and he was tall - 6 feet nine inches. After receiving his diploma in painting in Nigeria, he was recruited by BYU-Hawaii to play basketball, and there he found his opportunity to nourish all his talents. He graduated in 1993 with a BFA in sculpture, and with his MFA from BYU-Provo in 1997.

 

In his indigenous culture, womanhood is venerated, which made the female form an obvious focus in graduate school. Okonkwo's sculptures of women are rotund forms that symbolize the abundance of life. "an outward manifestation of a largeness of soul," he explains. The souls are full of life, even in their seeming silliness. Whether enclosed within themselves or interaction with other forms, their subtle "actions" evoke a depth of empathy.

 

"My inspirations comes from the aspect of the human soul that I find sublimely beautiful and noble; my art is a projection of this deep personal belief about the nobility and expansiveness of the human spirit." Visit www. nnamdiart.com for more information about the artist and his art.