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Artist Bio
Chioma Favour Okoli, born in Enugu State, Nigeria, is a full-time artist and curator at Awka Museum Foundation. She earned a Higher National Diploma in Painting at the Institute of management and Technology (IMT) Enugu and a Postgraduate Diploma in fine and applied arts (painting) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State. Deeply connected to African tradition, Chioma uses her role and creative practice to document and reflect cultural stories, focusing on the Igbo cultural legacy and African lifestyle. Over the past five years, she has championed education and cultural awareness through personal projects, local and International exhibitions.
Artist Statement
As an artist, I explore the beauty of culture, identity, and resilience. My paintings are rooted in deep research and often reinterpret the essence of everyday life in African communities. My work focusses more on gender roles, spiritual beliefs and emotional strength especially amongst African women and children. I work with acrylics, pastels, oils, and found materials, transforming waste into meaningful 2D and 3D forms. My mission is to inspire dialogue, advocate for change, give voice to the unheard voices, and promote sustainable art practice.
Work Experience
2012: Industrial Trainee, Department of Fine Arts, IMT, Enugu
2019–Present: Curator and Resident Artist, Awka Museum Foundation
2018–2019: Artist & Trainee Curator, National Gallery of Arts, Anambra
2022: Gallery manager and creative director - ZIMIFE Harris-Eze Foundation(ZHF Gallery)
2023 - 2025: Zonal Coordinator Life in My City Art Festival (Anambra Zone)
Co-curator/organizer , xx art exhibition (IWD) supported by Awka Museum Foundation, Hab hessen Germany, Rice University,USA.
Works with colours, fabrics, waste-to-art, and pictorial narratives.
Member of Pan African Circle of Artists, Society of Nigerian Artists, and Zeearts Gallery Dubai
Education
2019–2023: PGD Fine Art (Painting), Nnamdi Azikiwe University
2014–2016: HND, Fine & Applied Arts, IMT Enugu
2009–2011: OND, Fine & Applied Arts, IMT Enugu
Art Exhibitions
2025: Things fall apart art exhibition, Center for memories Enugu. / Life in my City Art festival/Society of Nigerian artists exhibition, shaky gallery Anambra State
2024: XX art exhibition (IWD) , AMF, Anambra State .
2023: Anambra Art and craft Expo / infiltration of blue exhibition,AAF Lagos./ Art Arising Festival, National museum Lagos.
2022: Global Media and Information Literacy Week ,UNESCO.
2022: 5thEdition Art connects women exhibition ,Zeearts gallery Dubai ,UAE./ Art connects women Expo 2020 Dubai./ Art connects women Conference QE2 Dubai.
2022:Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation Harmattan workshop
2022-2024:XX Art exhibition. (Yearly Exhibition)
2021:Female Artists association of Nigeria Exhibition (girl child initiative).
2020: Art is Everywhere, Covid-19
2020: Life in my City Art festival Enugu.
2020: National Gallery of Arts Annual Exhibition / Ije Movement, Awka / Life in my City/ One Self at Chashama Gala by Seeme, USA/ Awka Art Exhibition , ZHF Gallery Awka .
2018: National Gallery of art exhibition Igboukwu./ Iroko International Adire Festival.
2011: life in my city art festival.