Oscar Ukonu is a hyperrealist artist who stands out for his use of a ballpoint pen on paper and his ability to delve into details and achieve extraordinary realism. His art is characterized by an iconography rich in personal and cultural references, crossing gender, religion, and sociopolitical dimensions to explore the complexities of African identity and cultural pride. Ukonu uses portraiture as a means to interrogate the socio-historical influences on contemporary identities, which he views as dynamic and constantly evolving constructs.
Oscar Ukonu’s Technique
Oscar’s mastery of the blue ballpoint pen is unmistakable, and he uses it to tell stories that touch on socially relevant issues. Among his most powerful works are those that depict a population blinded by fake news and misinformation, often spread through newspapers, or a young boy exuding confidence despite the distraction of water droplets, or another boy appearing serene despite the madness of the society surrounding him. These visual narratives, laden with meaning, demonstrate Ukonu’s commitment to using art as a tool to reflect on complex social issues.
Ukonu’s approach analyzes the psychological and sociopolitical dimensions of identity within the context of contemporary digital culture, media, and technology. His works offer a perspective on modern life, intertwining individual experience with a rich cultural heritage. His pieces highlight the interplay between stability and change in a constantly evolving world.
Ukonu’s creative process is described as an exercise in patience and time, with each project requiring between 200 and 400 hours of work. Every piece is approached as a true research project, involving phases of writing, sketching, and photography before arriving at the final drawing.
For Ukonu, words can be a limiting form of expression in such a visually rich and colorful world. His art thus becomes a medium to give voice to fundamental societal and environmental issues, exploring how we perceive and react to them. Through his works, Ukonu reflects on the role of socio-historical influences in the construction of contemporary identities, which he considers socially constructed and constantly changing.
