SPOTLIGHT: Anthony Azekwoh — the creative writer redefining digital art

Anthony Azekwoh is an entirely self-taught artist and author per excellence. Born in 2000, Azekwoh took interest in creative arts and writing as a kid, initially drawing with ink pens on paper before he transitioned into digital art. With many awards to his name, Azekwoh’s career has taken a tremendous leap since then. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s PELUMI BOLAWA, the 22-year-old opens up on life as an artist and author, initial struggles, and future projects.

TheCable Lifestyle: You picked an interest in writing at 13 and art at 16. As a self-taught writer, how did it all start?

Anthony Azekwoh: To me, writing has always been what I loved to do as a child. It helped me develop stories, language usage, and all of that.

So, when I was 13, we had a teacher then who gave us assignments to create a blog. From there and as time went by, I started surfing things on the internet on how my audience will see things. I started experimenting with the blog. That was how I got started.

TheCable Lifestyle: Professionally, when did you start your writing and art career? 

Anthony Azekwoh: I pursued both of them always with the energy as to this is what I want to do. But in terms of acknowledging it to myself, it was in 2019, 2020. 

TheCable Lifestyle: Looking at Nigerian society and your profession, were your parents supportive of your career choice?

At first, it was confusing to them. You know the Nigerian culture and how things are portrayed. So, the plan was just to get a degree and get a job. For people that grew up in their generation, that was like a whole source of income. Anything else is like magic. It is like a fairy tale. I think at the beginning it was hard for everybody to accept. But now, they now have a better understanding. 

TheCable Lifestyle: As an author and artist, what were the major things you set out to achieve when you started your career? 

There was nothing really. I was setting out to make than just that I have stories to tell. That was just like the driving force. I was just like I need to tell the stories in the best way I can. But then I think as time progressed and I grew older I realised, for me, I just want to tell the stories of the social reality of who we are as Africans. 

TheCable Lifestyle: In 2020, you went viral for your sold art on Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT). How has the prominence shaped your career? 

As I said, for me, it was just like telling the stories. But when people start asking me about paints, selling my works and I realised okay, I have to do the business. Before then people knew me more as a writer. Above all, it has been a great shift. 

TheCable Lifestyle: How can contemporary artists benefit from the NFT? 

Anthony Azekwoh: For me, I feel like NFT has been a good one for digital artists. You just have to know who wants what as opposed to just dropping your artwork there. 

TheCable Lifestyle: What does your art communicate and its importance to society? 

I discovered that art can be vindicating, especially with my artwork about the ‘African Samurai’. My artworks inspire people and make them feel like they are real. 

TheCable Lifestyle: You have made some artworks for popular singers like Adekunle Gold, and Blaqbonez among others. What has been your experience working with them? 

Anthony Azekwoh: I have tried as much as possible to always communicate what this person wants. Yes, it was a great process working with them. 

TheCable Lifestyle: You have a lot of artwork. Talking about the ‘Redman’, and ‘Animal Talk,’ among others. Do you have any favourites? 

Anthony Azekwoh: No. My favourite artwork is one I am yet to make. The one I am estimating and creating on a whole new level. 

TheCable Lifestyle: Do you mind telling us more about a digital artist? 

Anthony Azekwoh: Being a digital artist is to digitally express yourself. It is not very different from a normal painter. You still have your tool. And you still just set it free into the world. For me, digital art makes more sense. At the time I started, I was young. I asked myself, who was going to buy paints and canvas from me?

But now, it was far easier for me to start in the house and have a cracked version of photoshop and see how things were, as opposed to buying the tangible materials. 

TheCable Lifestyle: Are there projects you are currently working on? 

Anthony Azekwoh: Honestly, right now, I am about to just take a break for a few months. I am also experimenting deeper and deeper with my writing and art. 

TheCable Lifestyle: As a digital artist, who are the people that inspire your works? 

Anthony Azekwoh: Artists that inspire me are Duro Arts and Chigozie Obi. Those are really cool ones. In terms of artists I would love to work with, right now, for me, I am focused on being in my own space and my own world. To go deep into myself and tell the stories I need to tell. 

TheCable Lifestyle: What inspired the ‘Animal Talk’ project? 

Anthony Azekwoh: The animal talk was simply inspired by what is going on right now. It was inspired by Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s song. And for me, it just felt important because Nigerian society is made of a lot of bad actors who are using the current chaos for their selfish interests. 

TheCable Lifestyle: To what extent do your works spotlight issues in Nigeria? 

Anthony Azekwoh: Since I was young, I have been writing about how cruel the Nigerian system was. How bad my school environment was for students and lecturers alike. And even during the #EndSARS protest as well and also in recent times, doing the Animal Talk series.

I am a Nigerian and I have a family here. So, it is always very important to speak about where you come from.

TheCable Lifestyle: How do you see yourself in the next seven years? 

Anthony Azekwoh: I just hope I will be able to make my mark because, for me, my goal is to be free and able to experiment with my work. Basically, to be able to express myself through artwork. 

TheCable Lifestyle: Any word for your family and fanbase? 

Anthony Azekwoh: For my family and fans, I am grateful for the countless back-to-back support.