Oscar Ukonu (born 1993
) is a Nigerian
ballpoint pen artist based in
Lagos, Nigeria. He is known for his hyperrealist portraits.
Early life and education
Ukonu was born in 1993. He began drawing, as a hobby, when he was nine. He studied architecture at
Federal Polytechnic in
Nekede
Nekede is a town in southeastern Nigeria. It is located near the city of Owerri.
This is an Igbo speaking town that is made up of three distinct towns, viz Umuoma, Umualum, and Umudibia. Nekede also hosts the Imo State new Owerri capital territo ...
, Nigeria.
Art
While studying architecture, he drew a lot of
pencil-based drawings followed by experimenting with rapidograph ink pens to develop his own art style. In 2014, after spending a considerable time looking at different mediums and drawing tools, he chose the ballpoint pen to produce his photorealistic works. His work is described as
hyperrealism
Jean Baudrillard ( , , ; 27 July 1929 – 6 March 2007) was a French sociologist, philosopher and poet with interest in cultural studies. He is best known for his analyses of media, contemporary culture, and technological communication, as w ...
and Afrorealism. He uses his hyperreal illustrations as a medium for social critique, as well as to convey a social message about the
African descent.
According to himself, he "constantly explores Black identity and pride in an increasingly globalized world, as well as ideas surrounding Afrorealism."
An artwork can take him up six weeks, during which he will use about ten pens due to wear and tear on the nib. For such a work, he will use about 20 photos he's taken of the subject for reference. He employs three basic techniques in his artworks:
hatching, crosshatching, and scribbling.
In 2020, his submission ''Blue Boy'' was placed 6th in
Société Bic's BIC Art Master competition.
References
External links
*
Artist Draws Hyperrealistic Portraits Using Bic Ballpoint Pens video at Art Insider
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ukonu, Oscar
Living people
21st-century Nigerian male artists
21st-century Nigerian artists
Nigerian contemporary artists
Ballpoint pen art
1993 births