Brushes, Stories, and Movement with Moses the Artist
Introducing Moses Odogwu , a Nigerian fine artist whose work brings emotional depth and narrative strength to every canvas. Moses, known for his expressive acrylic and oil portraiture, his creations are as personal as they are universal, always capturing identity, spirituality, and the unspoken truth in his subjects. His fluency in visual storytelling is matched by a grounded presence, balancing artistry with everyday passion like running.
How would You Describe the Emotional Heart of your Portraiture? What Draws You to Human Character?
The emotional heart of my portraiture lies in the stories behind the faces I paint. For me,every line, expression, and gesture is a language of its own, carrying unspoken emotions, struggles, hopes, and resilience. I try to go beyond physical likeness, reaching for the soul of the subject that invisible essence that makes them human. My portraits are not just images; they are conversations between the seen and the unseen, the present and the memory. What draws me to human character is its complexity and depth.
Human beings are layered with experiences, cultures, and emotions, and I find endless inspiration in that. I am fascinated by how joy, pain, strength, and vulnerability coexist in a single individual. Through painting, I try to capture and preserve those truths to give voice to the silent stories people carry, especially the oppressed and the less privileged. That, for me, is where art finds its deepest meaning.
You Reference Life, Myth, Spirituality, Femininity, and Nature in Your Work, how do these Themes Interweave in Your Visual Stories?
These themes are really inseparable from the human experience, so in my work they just naturally flow into one another to create visual stories. Life, for instance, gives me the raw material, the everyday struggles, joys, and triumphs of people. Myth then allows me to take those same realities and elevate them into symbols that speak beyond time and culture. Spirituality adds another layer of depth, reminding us of our inner essence and that connection we all share with something greater than ourselves. Femininity, for me, is very important because it represents strength, nurturing, and resilience. I often use it as a lens to highlight beauty but also endurance in a way that feels both personal and universal. Nature, on the other hand, reflects balance and continuity, the cycles of growth, decay, and renewal that so closely mirror our own existence as human beings.
When I bring all of these elements together in a painting, the work becomes more than just a visual expression. It turns into a layered narrative, a kind of bridge between reality and metaphor. And I think that’s what I want my art to do to remind us of our shared humanity, our cultural heritage, and the deeper connections that bind us all.
Could You Walk us through Your Process, how do You Approach a New Painting?
For me, a painting begins long before the brush touches the canvas. I start by observing, whether it’s people, society, or nature, absorbing the emotions and stories around me. I capture those first sparks in quick sketches or words, then begin layering colors and forms, each one carrying its own meaning and emotion. I don’t force the process; I let the painting guide me, often revealing unexpected directions along the way. In the end, painting becomes less of a mechanical act and more of a journey, a dialogue between myself, the subject, and the viewer, where thoughts and social realities are transformed into something that speaks beyond words.
What Made You choose Acrylic or Oil, and how does the Medium Affect the Mood of Your Work?
I chose acrylic because of its versatility and immediacy. The medium allows me to work with both intensity and subtlety it dries quickly, which gives me the freedom to capture raw emotions in the moment, but it also allows for layering and texture that add depth to my visual stories. Acrylic carries a certain vibrancy; its boldness enhances the energy of my social and political themes, while its flexibility lets me express quiet, intimate moods as well. In many ways, the medium mirrors life itself fast, layered, unpredictable, yet full of color and possibility.
We Noticed you’re also a Runner, what Role does this Personal Passion Play alongside Your Art?
Running is more than just a sport for me, it is a form of meditation and discipline. The rhythm of each stride gives me clarity, patience, and endurance qualities that also shape my approach to painting. Long-distance running teaches me to stay committed to a journey, even when it feels endless, and that mirrors the creative process, where a canvas gradually unfolds into a story. Both running and art demand focus, resilience, and an inner dialogue with oneself. So, in many ways, running is not separate from my art; it fuels my creativity, keeps my mind clear, and helps me translate life’s experiences onto canvas with a deeper sense of balance and perspective.
How do You Balance your Pace, as a Creator and a Person?
For me, balance comes from understanding that creativity is not a race but a rhythm. As a painter, there are moments of intense energy where I pour myself completely into the canvas, and there are moments of quiet observation where I simply allow life to breathe into me. I see both as essential creation and pause. As a person, I ground myself in discipline and reflection; as a creator, I allow freedom and exploration. The two work together; discipline gives me structure, while freedom gives me wings. I believe true art emerges when I respect both sides of myself, so I don’t just create from pressure, but from purpose.
Your Paintings have been Featured in International Exhibitions, how have these Experiences Shaped Your Creative Outlook?
Being part of international exhibitions has been a transformative experience for me. Each platform exposes my work to diverse cultures, perspectives, and critiques, which in turn deepens my understanding of art as a universal language. It has taught me that while my paintings are rooted in Nigerian realities, their themes; human struggle, resilience, and hope resonate across borders. These encounters broaden my creative outlook, encouraging me to experiment more boldly with ideas, symbols, and techniques while staying true to my cultural roots. Most importantly, they remind me that art is not confined by geography; it is a bridge that connects human stories across the world.
What Kind of Feeling or Connection do You Hope Your Portraits Spark in Viewers?
When people stand before my portraits, I want them to feel more than just the likeness of a face, I want them to sense a presence, a story, and a truth that goes beyond the surface. My hope is to awaken empathy, reflection, and a deeper connection to the human experience. Each brushstroke carries fragments of history, culture, and spirit, so that viewers do not just look at the work, but feel as though the work is looking back at them inviting them into a dialogue. Ultimately, I want my portraits to spark recognition, not only of the subject, but of ourselves and the shared humanity that binds us all.
What Narratives or Subjects are You Eager to Paint Next?
My next body of work will continue to expand on themes of identity, resilience, and collective memory. I am deeply drawn to narratives that echo the voices of the marginalized stories of everyday people whose struggles and triumphs often go unnoticed. I want to paint subjects that question our social realities while also offering hope and reflection. At the same time, I’m eager to explore how tradition and modernity intersect in today’s Nigeria using symbols, history, and cultural landmarks as bridges between past and present. Ultimately, my next works will not just be about what is seen on the canvas, but about creating spaces for dialogue, empathy, and transformation through art.
In what Ways do You See Your Art Blending More with Your Life, Movement, and Spirit?
My art is not separate from my life, it is an extension of it. Every brushstroke carries fragments of my journey, my reflections, and my spirit. I see painting as a language through in which my inner movement, my thoughts, struggles, and hopes finds a visible form. The rhythm of my daily experiences, the energy of the society I live in, and the quiet depths of my spirit all flow naturally into my canvases. In that sense, my art and life are inseparable; it is not just about creating images, but about embodying movement, emotion, and spiritual depth. The process of painting becomes a mirror of my existence sometimes calm, sometimes restless but always guided by an inner force that connects me to people, culture, and the world around me.