Interview
Chinedu Victor
Chinedu Victor Uyaelunmo is an artist based in Los Angeles. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, his first encounter with art came at about three years old when he found himself struck by the paintings of a neighbor’s grandfather. He started to draw in his free time, and by the time he was seven, Victor began to recognize his own talent for drawing characters and superheroes at school. Victor moved to the United States at age 14 on a sports scholarship and continued drawing, either in a sketchbook or on an iPad. The thought of painting, which wasn’t so feasible to him as a kid, started to culminate. But he never found the time or will to actually pursue it. After an injury that took him out of a year in basketball, he took up digital art, still pushing away painting, and refined his sketching skills. After graduating high school, he started playing basketball in college. While on an athletic scholarship, he discovered that a fellow Nigerian student, who was an athlete like him, painted.
Stunned by the ability to multitask between playing sports and painting, Victor decided to pick up a paintbrush. The accumulation of injuries caused him to leave basketball, and his focus shifted to an entirely new medium. His newfound passion quickly filled the walls of his dorm room with artwork. Nothing could stop him once he had started. Victor eventually decided to participate in a college art show, not expecting much out of it. Instead, he sold several paintings. Fellow artists and enthusiasts stressed that he continued painting and showcasing his talents. Motivated, Victor applied to art school. Studying at the New York Academy of Art, he polished his signature style: contemporary portraiture. In 2023, he displayed his art at the Eye to Eye exhibition, and graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree. Victor’s paintings examine palpable emotion. Vibrant colors, thick textures, and expansive canvases allow the viewer to feel with him. His art, which primarily involves oil and acrylic paints, invokes a more substantial and positive understanding of Black culture. His major exhibitions include the New York Academy of Art, the Tribeca Ball, and the Baltimore County Arts Guild and multiple group shows. Through his art, Victor uplifts the beauty of Black culture and shares personal stories that are often overlooked or uncultured.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My journey into art began in college. As a student-athlete, my life revolved around training, competition, and discipline but in quiet moments, I found myself drawn to painting. I bought a few brushes and paint and started working in my dorm room whenever I could. At first, it was just an escape. Then, it became an obsession. Painting turned into something I couldn’t live without. After college, I made a leap of faith and chose art fully. I went on to pursue my MFA at the New York Academy of Art, where I deepened not only my technical skill, but my understanding of who I was as an artist.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My work is rooted in my personal life and lived experiences. I create images that tell stories about everyday people, people like myself and reflect moments from my own journey. My current body of work explores my childhood memories, translating nostalgia and personal history into visual narratives. My upcoming project will shift into a deeper political conversation, centered on honoring Black men and recognizing their value, humanity, and contributions while they are still alive.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“It’s a mixture of both. I plan my work in advance, but I allow space for improvisation as I go. What I originally set out to paint often transforms into something entirely different by the time I’m finished. As far as visually, I let the process guide the final result.”
Are there any art world trends are you following?
“I am not following any current art trends.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I primarily work with oil paint. I begin each piece with a sketch on the canvas and develop the painting layer by layer, making adjustments as the work evolves.”
What does your art mean to you?
“My art means everything to me. It allows me to tell my story in my own way. Being able to bring ideas from my mind into the physical world feels truly special.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“I don’t have just one favorite artwork—it changes over time. Right now, my favorite piece is a recent painting that marked a turning point for me creatively. It represents something I had been wanting to explore for a long time. I’ve been searching for a way to introduce abstraction into my work, to stop painting so strictly ‘between the lines’ and allow myself to be more free and loose. With this recent piece, I finally felt like I achieved that and for now, that’s why it’s my favorite.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I think Tribecca ball was a really special exhibition to me. I met a lot of collectors that I ended up building relationships with. Overall great experience!”
Website: artbychinedu.com
Instagram: @artbychinedu
