New sculpture unveiled
For many people art means a picture you can hang on the wall, a small piece of ceramic work or an object that fits neatly in a glass case in a gallery. But for others, like Nigerian sculptor Stephen Okeke, one of the best ways to catch people’s attention is by making something life-size, or even larger than life.
It took Stephen Okeke four months to complete his masterpiece,
“The Citrus Man”. The sculpture, made from a combination of steel, plastic cement and resin, symbolizes the strength and dedication of a citrus farmer, who has had a hard but successful day in the fields.
Stephen Okeke, Artist
“I decided to depict the citrus man because in and around the citrus farms, I see the lot of efforts they put in. I see on the news the lot of trouble they go through and the lot of effort they put out to see the citrus grow and it is exported. And I thought that it is something good to let them know their efforts are remembered, to let them know that what they have been doing, to keep the industry alive, is appreciated. So why not something like this to make them feel good too.”
The exhibition, a second for Okeke, is mounted outside of the Atlantic Bank on Freetown Road. Okeke says the objective of holding the show outdoors is not only to attract more visitors, but since the location is within a school zone, he thought the area would be ideal to try and inspire young Belizeans to his form of art.
Stephen Okeke
“I decided to bring the piece outside because I think when it’s outside here, you have a larger number of people coming to appreciate the work. And the great number of those I wanted to address coming this way, that’s the youths. You see, when they come in here, a lot of them make comments which means they are getting a new kind of inspiration. They are motivated. They come to understand that there are more to arts than what they have been used to.”
Okeke says what makes his work unique is not only the life-size sculptures but the pieces can withstand all kinds of weather conditions.
Stephen Okeke
“Whenever you look at them, you are seeing them as if you have never seen them before. They are original, they are unique, they are just work and detailed, very detailed.
The Garifuna drummer is not just created as an entertainment piece, as other sculptures are, they are pieces meant to inform, educate and then entertain. So there are also pieces created not just to be seasonal, so for the next twenty years you will be looking at something new again. Everyday it’s telling a new story. The Garifuna drummer represents a culture in itself and it’s a fact.”
According to Okeke, the show, which comes to a close on Sunday may be his last, as far as life-size sculptures are concerned. Unfortunately, Okeke says, the production costs far outweigh the profits he makes from the art.
