Before financial gains and immediate gratification, art is first a conversation between self and consciousness. Digital artist, Favour Nwokocha adds a new layer to this conversation with a story of resilience and how she uses her craft and talents to communicate her innermost thoughts. 

Born to a creative family in Nigeria, Favour has always shown interest in the arts. She would follow her father, who was a photographer to events and hang around watching him work, “Even when he worked with negatives to print out the photos he took I would try to draw them on paper.“ She shared, excited to recall the days of small beginnings. Her mum, a linguistic teacher fluent in French and Spanish also imbued in her a need for expression. When her peers were being pushed to follow more conventional paths in Banking and Engineering, her folks supported these artistic dreams of hers and invested in her talent.

Favour finished her first painting at the age of 17. It was a painting of a church building with an Angel on the rooftop. She began to organise exhibitions within her community, in church especially, where attendees will buy drawings and paintings for a token. This show of support translating into monetary value was enough to spur Favour’s interest in the arts. She went on to study Fine Art at Osun State University, graduating with a second class upper.

Favour Nwokocha

As Favour’s artistic prowess bloomed, so did her canvas of possibilities. Digital art emerged as a conduit to explore uncharted territories, enabling her to enhance her skills, increase productivity, and, ultimately, redefine the boundaries of her craft. The transition from pencil and paper to the digital realm became a seamless evolution, marking a chapter in her artistic journey characterized by experimentation and growth.

Favour’s art style crosses over into Amoled art, black backgrounds with sparse and intentional use of colouring. Amoled art is usually preferred by techies as wallpapers for phones and computers due to judicious use of screen pixels. It is not yet clear if Favour has tapped into this market with her style. She creates works that seem to speak to a larger consciousness that she would rather portray than talk, or write about. “As an artist, the message is not always a conscious decision, but rather a desire to express my emotions or explore a topic that captivates me. The observer’s perspective plays a crucial role in completing the artwork, as it adds a unique interpretation to the message.”

Among the myriad projects that bear Favour Nwokocha’s indelible touch, ’OTU’ emerges as a testament to her ability to infuse meaning into every stroke. In the face of racial adversity, “OTU,” meaning ‘one’ in Igbo dialect, stands as commentary on the universal need for love and unity. “I created this work at a time of my life when I was faced with racism in a new country that I almost went through depression.” Favour continued “‘OTU’ represents the need for love and oneness from one race to another, whether white or black we all are human beings with blood following through our veins.”

Favour Nwokocha – OTU

Favour posted ‘OTU’ on an art group and the attention she got eventually led to invitations to speak and encourage other budding artistes like herself. Yet, Favour’s artistic repertoire extends beyond societal commentaries. “Moi Acoustic,” a celebration of soul music and the serenity it bestows upon our minds and bodies, epitomizes her ability to translate intangible emotions into tangible, visual poetry. The recognition of this piece with an invitation to exhibit in the United Kingdom in 2024 marks a trajectory towards international acclaim.

In order to balance a creative passion with financial stability, Favour founded Olowo Artistry, a company that accepts art commissions to create portraits for clients. “Building this kind of business takes a lot of courage” Favour said, “Because at some point you might get discouraged by things like, Do people appreciate my work enough? Am I going to be able to scale through and also how can I build a sustainable business as an artist?” However, through resilience and dedication, Favour has grown Olowo Artistry to cater for numerous clients across countries, She has since expanded her workforce to accommodate portrait requests. 

Favour Nwokocha, living in Lagos continues to forge her own path as an artist. Creating and expressing, because that is all the artist needs.

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