About The Artist

THE ARTIST

Monica

The Artist and her work

Monica Chiedu is a Nigerian artist. She was born in Lagos but spent most of her childhood in the village of Ogwashi Uku in the Niger Delta.

With no formal training, or art tuition, her style retains a raw and vibrant feel and reflects the influence of the traditional Ibo culture that is still part of rural village life in that part of Africa.

Like many Nigerian children she spent much of her time helping her family by working in the local markets and her art often draws on these early, vivid, childhood experiences.

She is also greatly influenced by the role of the woman, who she sees as being a central figure in African life and portrays both her beauty and responsibility in the demanding roles of mother and worker.

Monica was invited to exhibit in the Shell camp at Ogunu in Warri as part of a bimonthly art fair during 2003, for Nigerian and expatriate staff, where she became encouraged to pursue her art after receiving various commissions and much acclaim.