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Ezeagu

£1,700.00Price
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Medium: Oil on Canvas

Size: 4ft × 3ft

Year: 2025


In this portrait, I sought to weave contemporary cultural milestones with a deep-seated cinematic nostalgia to honor the resilience of Igbo heritage.


The creative spark for this piece ignited in 2024, inspired by the viral, majestic display of the traditional Isi Agu attire during the launch of Air Peace's Lagos-to-Gatwick route. Seeking the perfect vessel to capture this immense cultural pride, I found a profound muse in a video of veteran actor Pete Edochie dancing in the iconic fabric.


Reflecting on his enduring, fierce presence since his legendary portrayal in Things Fall Apart, I recalled the

powerful traditional salutations of "Ebube Dike" (the glorious warrior) and his resonant, growling responses; “ya" or “I hear you.”

To me, this enduring spirit crystallized into a singular, undeniable truth: this man always looked and sounded like a lion.


Transmuting this realization onto the canvas, I painted a stoic, aged, and fiercely dignified lion adorned in the Isi Agu and royal red cap. It is titled Ezeagu, a name that carries double meaning for me; it is a direct tribute to my first truly impactful teacher, Mr. Ben Ezeagu. He was an upright, motivational, and highly disciplined man who first sparked my passion for knowledge-seeking, history, current affairs, politics, and debate. This work

ultimately stands as my personal homage to the Igbo people—a visual testament to the strength, unyielding dignity, and cultural royalty they continuously project onto the global stage

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