Ibim Cookey was born in Port Harcount, Nigeria in January 1999 and studied architecture at the University of Nigeria. As a young boy, Ibim began drawing and through the years, developed his distinctive detailed photorealistic drawing style. For his portraits, Ibim prefers graphic and charcoal pencils, which he combines with designs of specific African fabrics. The intensely colored textile patterns contrast with his black and white drawings and are symbolic of the connection between the identity and culture of the people the artist encounters on a daily basis. The acrylic painted backgrounds in the style of West African wax printed fabrics take a central role in Ibim's paintings, as they are an expression of self-confidence and pride in the people of the Niger Delta's own cultural roots. Ibim Cookey's works - despite his young age - have already been featured at exhibitions and art fairs in Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, the USA and Europe, have won several awards and have been nominated for various art prizes in Nigeria.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I consider the Renaissance art movement as the most influential in my practice.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I just show up to the studio every day and do the work - inspiration finds me there. In my opinion, there is no such thing as my best art, it is all relative.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
My creative process is a combination of repetitive techniques and also random experiments as the work guides me.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
I consider Chuck Close to be my greatest inspiration.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I am also a certified architect so I guess I would be designing buildings full time if I weren't an artist.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
I listen to Afrobeats music.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
I would acquire 'The Transfiguration' by Raphael.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
It would be The Gagosian.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
I would advise them to go for it and to also remember that no school can teach creativity or passion - you only learn skills and techniques.
10) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
'The Enemy Called Average' by John Mason.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I would paint murals on the roof covering of a football stadium.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
I learned that success isn’t found in academic books, but rather is cultivated by making mistakes and learning from them.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
In some of the greatest art collections in the world, impacting the younger generations of artists through my residency program.
Learn more about Ibim and discover his collection of paintings
