Kelechi Charles Nwaneri Nigeria, b. 1994

Biography
“My work is born out of the desire to stir up conversations on issues around Social Values, History, Mental Health, and the subconscious interaction between man and his environment.”

Kelechi Charles Nwaneri's artistic journey commenced in 1994, hailing from the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria. Presently, he calls Lagos his home and artistic sanctuary, a place where his imaginative narratives take shape and substance.

 

Initially drawn to the realm of Pencil Hyperrealism, Kelechi's artistic evolution has been a captivating trajectory. His genesis in Pencil Realism paved the way for a multifaceted exploration of various mediums, including acrylic paints, collages, watercolors, and oil paints. Notably, his oeuvre bears the hallmark of West-African Iconography, infused with a mystical and metaphysical essence. A pivotal element that defines his work is the Black Hybrid Figure, a manifestation inspired by the concept of scars.

 

Kelechi's artistic identity defies categorization, residing at the intersection of Photorealism, Surrealism, and Postmodernism. Aptly described as Contemporary Surrealism, his style transcends boundaries and genres, capturing the essence of the modern artistic landscape.

 

In his own words, "A distinctive thread that weaves through my creations is the 'Hybrid (Black) Figure,' a concept rooted in the symbolism of scars and tribal marks. These figures bear a tapestry of symbols, prominently featuring Adinkra, Uli, and Nsibidi symbols, automatic lines, and Adire patterns. I primarily wield pencils and charcoal sticks to breathe life into these intricate depictions."

 

In the year 2020, Kelechi embarked on an artistic sojourn as the resident artist at AKKA Project, nestled in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy. This experience further enriched his creative reservoir and added a new layer to his already profound artistic narrative.

Works
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Time, People and Change III, 2020
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Time, People and Change III, 2020
    Charcoal, Pencils, Oil and Acrylic Paints on Primed Canvas
    59 x 42 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, DIALOGUE 2, 2021
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    DIALOGUE 2, 2021
    Pastels, Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
    135 x 120 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, DIALOGUE 4, 2021
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    DIALOGUE 4, 2021
    Pastels, Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
    160 x 130 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Masquerade 1, 2021
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Masquerade 1, 2021
    Charcoal, Acrylic paints and Acid-free Acrylic markers
    45x34x4 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Evening Stroll, 2022
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Evening Stroll, 2022
    Charcoal and Acrylic on canvas
    185 x 150 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Migrant, 2022
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Migrant, 2022
    Pencil, charcoal sticks, acrylic paint and soft pastels on canvas
    140 x 140 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Justice and the Rich, 2022
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Justice and the Rich, 2022
    Pencil, charcoal sticks, acrylic paint and soft pastels on canvas
    150 x 200 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, No Way Home, 2022
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    No Way Home, 2022
    Acrilyc on canvas
    155 x 125 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Untitled, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Untitled, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    98 x 74 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Conversation, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Conversation, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    147.5 x 173 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Stargate, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Stargate, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    80 x 160 cm
    80 x 80 cm each
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, David in Cappadocia, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    David in Cappadocia, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    110 x 85 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Daybreak Thoughts, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Daybreak Thoughts, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    147 x 97 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Pandora's box, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Pandora's box, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    153 x 150 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Makeup Artist, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Makeup Artist, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    141 x 111 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Postcard 2: Old Lady, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Postcard 2: Old Lady, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    98 x 89 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Postcard 3: Fate, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Postcard 3: Fate, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    98.5 x 85 cm
  • Kelechi Charles Nwaneri, Postcard 4: Journey, 2023
    Kelechi Charles Nwaneri
    Postcard 4: Journey, 2023
    Charcoal sticks, Charcoal pencils, Acrylic paints, soft pastels on canvas
    96 x 86 cm
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