Chiedu Okonta

Chiedu Okonta (b. 1979) is a Nigerian-British artist based in London. A recipient of the prestigious Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship for MA Painting at the Royal College of Art, his journey blends self-taught beginnings with the depth of formal training.

Rooted in a contemporary school of thought, Okonta’s work engages in archiving, reporting, complaining, agitating, and questioning. Through a deliberately objective stance, he explores counter-hegemonic narratives, inviting diverse audiences to reflect on their place within our shared human experience.

Born into a traditional middle-class Nigerian family, Chiedu originally trained as a civil engineer, earning an MSc from UEL in London. Today, he channels that technical grounding into a deeply empathetic artistic practice, exploring the dynamics of community, resilience, and the exploitation of natural resources.

His visual language weaves timelines into layered backdrops, infusing his work with urgency and a collective longing for equity. Hauntological themes emerge—echoes of futures not yet realised, yet still felt.

Conscious of the fleeting nature of contemporary attention, Chiedu’s work resists linear time. His practice is designed to captivate—inviting viewers not just to look, but to stay, and to contemplate.