WALKARTROAD on Monday| One King George and a Reign in the City

Ireho Aito

The cool element about George Edozie is when you see him paints, you don’t think art is a difficult mountain to climb. This attitude resonates in the new definition and collection of works from the unconventional but charismatic artist. George on the exhibition road with ‘New Nigerian Conjunctures; The art of George Edozie’ at Naitonal Museum, Lagos.

Sometime ago, driving in the company of Goerge Edozie from Alexis gallery in Victoria Island down to CMS in Lagos, the highly spirited artist mentioned the role his faith plays in his life, “I am a catholic and I attend mass daily. Not actually to prove that I am the best of all time, not all. But I have to serve God the giver of good things. I know my story and I still have a lot of story to tell. Mine is simply just the grace. I will continue to be a winner.” As he drives his 4 wheel drive along the island of Lagos, he slipped a pamphlet; ‘Novena to St Josemaria Escriva for work’ into my hands while pointing to the catholic church close by, “I come daily for midday mass because I have to prepare my family everyday for the business of the day.” For a contemporary artist like George, life can be a big beautiful story that started so small.

He was born 45 years ago as Goerge Edozie, a native of Onitsha the ancient town education is a source of joy to the clans. The town is a low life where Volkswagen car still beetles around the city. Onitsha Ado N’du, will always come and play a pivotal role in the life of a brand such as King George. Mention Onitsha and the names that readily come to mind are Ben Enwonwu, Chike Obi, and then the festival ‘Ofala’. George’s name is simply the best among his generation. After graduation from University of Benin, he started out as an uncomfortable one. In fact, he was the enfant terrible of modern art. His creations were awkward! The market didn’t look interesting to accept and appreciate his non-conventional methods. “I knew I was going to make the difference. It was difficult as the field even when I joined the industry professionally looked very small but I refused to be intimidated.” Timidity will not play a game of thrones on the young assertive dude. He crossed the path and soldiered himself into prominence. And from the first exhibition to the current one at Onikan Museum, Goerge is a testament of ‘A Can Do Spirit’ he is indeed a winner.

Today, he is not just a visual artist. Rather, he is a business savvy personality. George is an art consultant with ever present aura, a publisher of repute and a supporter of culture with his yearly ‘Ofala’ festival exhibition. The artist is already a pilot of his generation. He actually knows what sells for an artist. The father of two is a family person and home comes first. “it took me six years to have my first child and I know the pain of women in their quest to motherhood. I don’t joke with the graceful family God has blessed me with. Life at times can throw it at you in different ways, the truth is; hold on. Every good thing will come. My story is a motivation for everyone.” His works are favorite and iconic collections. They command attention because of the massive expression of from George. They come out in unconventional patterns, big, huge and fantastic sizes. They are simply breathtaking collections. Despite being underappreciated in the early life of his career, George today, runs a seasoned studio with global appreciation. He still recalls, “When they tell you, you can do it, keep doing it until it’s done!”

Images courtesy of George Edozie Library.