Ogheneomaero’s Simple Colours Projects Nigeria’s Rich Culture

Painter and author Okrikri Ogheneomaero Lois’ solo exhibition, which held at the Foursquare Church, Magodo Shangisha, Lagos, was a feast of colours.

It was her first solo exhibition and was more like the artist’s oeuvre, particularly with the use of simple colours such as yellow and blue. More dazzling was Okrikri’s effort in projecting the rich Nigerian cultural heritage through her work.

For the International Baccalaureate graduate from Greensprings School, Lekki Campus, painting had been her forte from infanthood, as she liked painting people in the church with crayon from a tender age as informed by her mother.

She said, “I have been an artist since I was a child; my mother often tells me that I used to draw people in church when I was younger. In elementary school I did art; in secondary school I did art and painting, while at International Baccalaureate, I did art at higher level.

Since then I have been developing my skills and my passion has grown stronger.   “In my school, you have to do art and during lessons you are given tasks. I took interest in painting and discovered that I’m actually better than the students who do arts. Over time I discovered that is what I love to do and developed interest in it”.

On what informs her painting, the Economics undergraduate said, “My mood affects my painting; I’m a colour person. If I’m happy I use shades of yellow and if I have to go simple, I use blue.

I don’t think before I start, but I usually go with my background. As my background comes I flow with it.”   Her teacher Rita Ubah testified to Ogheneomaero’s skill, adding, “She encouraged me to paint; she doesn’t use pencil.

Instead she uses paint from start to finish.”   Beyond painting, Ogheneomaero has authored a book titled Angels in Police Uniform, a narrative of a family’s experience during their holiday trip to Kaduna from Lagos.