When Onyeka Ibe looks out of his gallery window, all he sees are endless possibilities and no limitations.
A renowned artist represented at Harbour Gallery in Mississauga, Ibe can lay claim to a spectrum of emotional
works that are tell-tale and unquestionably moving.
Ibe’s journey began when he was just a young boy growing up in Enugu, Nigeria.
“I like to think that I grew up when times were simpler. As a child, I didn’t have many toys so I had to play
outside and commune with my neighbours. This is where I learned to appreciate the simple pleasures and that’s
what my pieces communicate,” says Ibe.
But Ibe’s homeland was stricken by much adversity. Born not long after the end of the Nigerian civil war, he
was raised in an emergent democracy that quickly fell. Violence became a mainstream part of life. But, as a
youth, Ibe realized that his ability to create could afford him the opportunity to escape within.
Recognizing his talent, at the age of 17, Ibe participated in his first show at the inaugural Enugu
International Trade Fair held in Nigeria. He was in high school at the time and his work was specially chosen
to represent all of the high schools in the state.
“It felt like the sky was the limit. Being recognized at that age fueled the passion in me even more and made
me want to pursue an art career,” says Ibe.
He remembers the reaction from the audience. “They were fascinated with how developed my technique was and
how serious I was about my art. The show generated a lot of media attention as people wanted to know more
about me and my works.”
Many of Ibe’s early works were centred on drawing and painting actual people. The first painting Ibe produced
was of a traditional village chief, creating a gateway for him to hone his skill.
Recognized as a budding artist, Ibe was quickly offered a scholarship to continue his high school studies and
went on to university in Benin, Nigeria, earning first class honours (summa cum laude) in fine arts.
Now, Ibe’s art has become internationally recognized for its unique style and emotion, and the artist
ventures that it is like no other.
“My works stand out from other artists because of the creative process. My palette knife technique is very
distinct in addition to my dramatic use of thick layers of colours. Many people would recognize my paintings
even if they weren’t signed because of my distinct technique.”
Although Ibe mainly uses oil colours to express himself, his inspirations come from far and wide.
“I am inspired by people, places, nature, and feelings… The everyday things many people take for granted
inspire me. There is so much beauty in our world and I attempt to capture that every time I paint,” said
Ibe.
As he paints it is not uncommon for Ibe to reflect upon the many places that he has visited including various
parts of Europe and South America. This is evident in many of his landscape pieces as they are depictions of
such places that have greatly inspired him. But for Ibe, as for many artists, home will always be where the
heart is.
“I want people to see my African heritage blended with western and eastern sensibilities. Every painting I
create has a piece of me so I want people to get to know me through my work,” Ibe told Urban Lux Magazine in
2010. “I want my paintings to spark curiosity, which is why I tend to be more of an abstract artist. I want
people to come up with their own interpretations of what my work means to them.”
Ibe has proven to be a very successful artist so far, being widely recognized for his works in Africa and
also North America. His honours include receiving the Best SOLO Artist of the Year award for 2006 at the
International Artexpo in New York City. The expo features a “SOLO” exhibition with hundreds of the
world’s top emerging, independent artists, exhibiting and selling their works in the hopes of being
discovered. Ibe noticeably hit the mark.
“The award was one of the factors that accelerated my career because it provided me with recognition and
exposure,” he says. “On a personal note, it provided me with more confidence because I felt like people
appreciated my talent.”
Ibe is also appreciated in Canada as Harbour Gallery proudly promotes over 30 of his works and provides the
perfect space for his work.
“When I look for galleries to carry my work, I look for galleries that will be just as passionate about my
work as I am. Not only did Harbour Gallery exude this level of passion, but their gallery is stunning.”
Currently, Ibe resides in Atlanta, Ga., and enjoys creating in his home gallery more than anything else. He
notes that this is the space where he feels most at home and most connected to his first love, painting.
“I have a large studio space in the city. My colours are displayed on a large palette as it allows me to mix
the colors as I see fit right there… I have designed the space in a way that everything in there, including
the space itself, is inspiring,” he says.
For Ibe, the inspirations and dreams don’t stop there. There is much more in store for his career as an
artist.
“Besides continuing to create works that people can identify with, I would love to make art more accessible
to people all over the world,” he says. “Art is a great form of expression and an outlet for many people so
it’s important that they have the option of exploring art as an activity.”
Ibe has partnered with several organizations that help make art more accessible, including the National
Gallery of Art, and has facilitated the sponsorship of a number of artists, giving them an opportunity to
showcase their work in the Unites States. Ibe also hopes to be able to go to various schools to teach
students about creating art. •
To view some of Onyeka Ibe’s collection, visit harbourgallery.com.
Above: “Anticipation,” oil on canvas, 30” x 48”, Photo courtesy IBE
Fine Art
