Fidelis Odogwu

Fidelis Eze Odogwu. Born in 1970 in Agbor, Delta State, is one of Nigeria's most successful contemporary sculptors working exclusively in metal. His technical ability in constructing with metal and his natural flair are traceable, as is the case with most artists, to his childhood when he repaired broken wooden handles of farm tools in Agbor, Delta State. Odogwu graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND) in sculpture from Auchi Polytechnic in 1991. He is a full time studio artist and was mentored by one of Nigeria’s most renowned sculptors, Ben Osawe, with whom he worked from 1988-1989.

Odogwu’s art is created with mild steel of various shapes and sizes including sheets and strands sourced at the Owode and Orile metal markets in Lagos. Guided by his concept, he employs shear cutters, to slice the metal sheets into segments. With an arc grinding machine, they are smoothened and welded together if required, after which the artist pounds them into desirable shapes with a hammer.

Usually cellulose or lacquer is used as a finishing to obliterate traces of joining. This serves to give the work a patina of freshness and organic elegance, ultimately challenging the viewer's preconceived notions of the appearance of metal. With more complex works, Odogwu often uses a lathe machine in fashioning relatively smaller geometrical shapes, sometimes with intricate patterns, as embellishments or as components of larger pieces. The artist's technique also consists of welding tiny multi-coloured strips on the faces of larger sheets to mimic the effect of paint dripping down a canvas.

Fidelis Eze Odogwu’s work forms part of many significant collections. He has participated in several important group exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad. Working out of the Universal Studios of Art at the National Theatre, Lagos, he has also collaborated with some notable artists including Peju Alatise on major works. Odogwu is a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and the Guild of Professional Artists of Nigeria.