Discovering Nnamdi
Back when I attended BYU–Hawaii, I met an extremely tall, fellow student named Nnamdi Okonkwo. The Nigerian art major stood about 6′ 9″ and played for the men’s basketball team. During one particular semester, we were enrolled in an art course together entitled, Lettering and Layout.
As one of our assignments, we were asked to create a magazine spread using the subject matter of our choice. Being a big sports fan, I decided to feature one of my favorite NBA players—David Robinson.
When Nnamdi saw my design, he read out loud the headline with his Nigerian accent, “Not in my neighborhood” and cracked up laughing. The headline was of course made popular by Eddie Murphy’s SNL rendition of Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood (a spoof of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood), which Nike quickly picked up on to promote David Robinson—and his shoes.
From that day on, I was known as “Robinson.” When I saw Nnamdi around campus he always greeted me with, “ROBINSON! How you doing?” I’m sure he confused more than a handful of students as they tried to figure out why his greeting was directed toward a 5′ 8″ Asian guy.
A few years later, while Nnamdi pursued his MFA at BYU, I gave him a phone call out of the blue. After I let him know who I was, he belted out, “Robinson!”
Earlier this year I e-mailed the editor of Mormon Artist magazine and suggested they do a feature on Nnamdi. He completed his MFA and is currently a successful fine artist—with work featured in galleries and art festivals in several states around the country—so I thought he’d be a great subject.
Shortly after I sent that e-mail, I discovered that Nnamdi was the cover story in the April/May 2011 issue of Mormon Artist magazine. A month or so after that, Nnamdi was targeted as the subject of a Mormon.org feature video. It’s a great video and I was happy to see it … and yes, he was just as happy and friendly in college as he is in the video.
Whether or not I was responsible for Nnamdi’s sudden fame, I don’t know. But I’m glad the world can see what a talented artist and thoughtful individual he is.
Photo courtesy of Nnamdi Okonkwo.
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Nnamdi Okonkwo exhibited at the MainSail Art Show in Saint Petersburg, FL, April 2012. To be surrounded by his art, was, metaphorically, akin to being in a blissful garden of pure love and joy.
The collection offers much more than a feel-good walk around. It is art that touches the soul. It evokes childhood memories, thoughts about values, cultures, and the Divine gifts of peace, kindness, and joy.
The simplicity and physical size of his figures serve several purposes, but for me, the contrasts exemplified the strength and delicacy of the human spirit and human form. The potential of goodness, unlike the physical body, is unlimited.
This is an allegorical collection that covers a spectrum of universal emotions and values.