Stephen Okeke captures Price in sculpture
He is a man whose talents extend to the worlds of science and literature, but it is his art that has made Nigerian Stephen Okeke a well-known figure in Belize. Today the sculptor, famous for his massive bronze statues, unveiled a smaller piece that will allow people to collect his work–and make an important statement at the same time.
Stephen Okeke, Sculptor
“This kind of art is actually called recognition art. It’s a piece of art we use to recognize important people, somebody whom, the country, the government or the people respect very much and want to remember that person in a tangible way, someone they hold in high esteem. We either have a big sculpture or a souvenir like this, which people can take home and always adore him.”
“Collectively, the uniformed response I’ve always gotten is George Price. People on both parts of the political divide have great respect for him. They have great respect for him as a person and for what he has done in Belize and also for his compassion, respect and his humbleness. So after I made so much interviews, I saw him as a very important person in Belize who people respect and have in high esteem. So when it came time for his jubilee, his golden anniversary in politics, I decided to make a piece, so that the people who have been asking me to make something, can keep and take home.”
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Before anyone could take home his artwork, Okeke spent five months working in his studio before getting the right Price.
Stehpen Okeke
“After you have finished the photographing, you make a piece or a model from material which could be plaster, or special professional artist clay. After that has been done, then you make a mold of that. After making the mold, you go through the process of casting, finishing and bringing it to what we have ready now.”
“My utmost dream is to get gigantic sculptures all over the city of Belize that will boost tourism another one thousand percent. That is one of my ultimate dream as a sculptor.”
On Monday, Okeke presented the original artwork the Father of Independence, himself. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
Okeke is making only one hundred copies of the George Price piece, and then the mold will be destroyed. The sculptures sell for four hundred and fifty dollars each.
