‘Art gives social, political issues resonance’

Self-taught visual artist, Amarachi Odimba, got a PGD in Education and a BSc in Geology and Mining from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, 2008 but has found her calling in the arts. The artist who hails from Abia State speaks about swervin

When you first exhibited your work, what did it feel like?

Indescribable! Seeing my work exhibited and catalogued was thrilling for me. That was at the Spanish Cultural Week Exhibition, 2012. It was a big break in the ice for my career as an artist. I was spurred by an artist, Stanley Dudu, whose works I admired. I hadn’t met him in person before I got to see his works at Thought Pyramid, Abuja, connected with him on Facebook and he encouraged me to put in for the Spanish Cultural Week. I was very glad I made it through and saw people appreciate my entry.

Recently, you exhibited your works in the Plates and Pallets Exhibition in Abuja. What would you say was the highlight for you?

I had always admired the Plates and Palettes Project, having attended the openings for the past few years. The initiator, Chike Emembo, has done well in creating alternative art spaces in the FCT to showcase masterpieces from great artists. The act of eating and showing art in those spaces gave me the opportunity to expose my works to a different audience. It was remarkable and compelled physical connections. It could shape the city’s identity and fuel its dynamism towards the art.

Of all your paintings, which one resonates the most with you and why?

None or all. I connect with my works differently. I could alter a considered finished work from time to time as long as it’s still in my possession to suit my taste. However, I find it interesting when people identify with a particular art piece synchronously. But I don’t have a best art piece.

You have already mentioned Stanley Dudu, but which other artists have had the greatest influence on your work?

They are countless, but I’d narrow down to Gustav Klimt, Pablo Picasso, and Salman Khoshroo. I am a fan of Nigerian Segun Aiyesan, I identify with him much because of the way he handles forms.

As an artist from a developing country, do you think art has to be political or social to have resonance?