Onda Joseph: Painting Stories of Faith, Resilience, and Creativity
An inside look at the Nigerian artist whose works bridge spirituality, emotion, and expression.
Onda Joseph is a Nigerian artist whose creative journey began in childhood, sketching with simple crayons and pencils long before he touched a professional canvas. Today, his works—spanning acrylics, oils, and charcoal—carry a depth that blends technical mastery with lived experience, faith, and resilience. Each brushstroke sparks dialogue, invites reflection, and connects people across cultures. His art is more than visual—it is a language of emotion, identity, and transformation.
With a voice that is both timeless and progressive, Joseph sees art as an ongoing conversation—between himself, his community, and a global audience. In this feature, he shares insights into his creative process, the challenges and triumphs of being an African artist, and his vision of shaping not just artworks, but movements that bridge cultures and inspire the next generation.
Can you describe your creative process from initial concept to the final piece? Are there any rituals or routines you follow?
This is a little breakdown of my creative process. First of all considering that fact that my works are majorly inspired by experiences, my personal experiences and even things happening around me. I pick an issue that troubles me at the particular moment that I’ll like to address, and which I make a lot research about that topic I’ll like to address and then while brainstorming Gods brings ideas on how to represent the topic visually in a way that Will pass the message. When I begin working on the piece I put my all to it, And concerning my daily rituals as part of the creative process, I am someone who is very time conscious and by that my life is built in time such that I am able to schedule my day properly to allow me give the needed time to my art and as well equally give in Time to other activities that are necessary.
What materials, techniques, or mediums do you work with, and how do they help you express your vision?
The types of materials, techniques and mediums I use in my work varies depending on the work itself and also the message that I want to communicate out.
So far I have explored several materials like Charcoal, pencil, graphite pencil, acrylic and oil paint, and currently I’ve been exploring with crayons.
How has your artistic style evolved since you first started, and what pivotal moments or influences shaped these changes?
Over the years the hunger for mastery and perfection has driven me to work tirelessly towards my art and that has really helped in strengthening my art practice. I started drawing at a very young age (7 years old), then we use to draw cartoon characters, and as I advanced in academics I discovered art was a path for me and I took that bold step.
I went into art professionally in the year 2018 when I was still in junior secondary school and since then it’s been an amazing experience, and over the years I’ve made so many artworks, both personal and commissioned and I’ve explored so many mediums and one of the mediums I’m currently exploring on is crayons, the moment that influenced this particular experience was how I was just at home thinking of how to come up with crazy ideas about my art and all of a sudden I stumbled on some of my younger brothers crayons at home and I just used it for an artwork and the outcome was beyond what I expected and I loved it.
How do you balance tradition and innovation in your work, especially when drawing from the rich African artistic heritage?
For me, tradition is the root, and innovation is the branch. I draw inspiration from African heritage because it carries a history and depth that I can’t ignore. At the same time, I believe art should speak to the present moment, so I let my own experiences, struggles, and emotions shape how that tradition is expressed. Whether through charcoal, pencil, or mixed media, I try to carry the soul of African art while presenting it in ways that connect with today’s audience.
Which emerging or historical African artists do you find particularly compelling or inspiring right now?
Prophetic Arts Obetta, Damilola Opedun, Samuel Nnorom, Arinze Stanley, Kelvin Okafor, Ben Enwonwu, El Anatsui, Duke Asidere.
What challenges and triumphs have you encountered as an artist working within or representing the African continent?
The challenges are real, limited resources, sleepless nights perfecting details, and sometimes feeling unseen in a world where African artists still fight for global recognition. But those same challenges fuel me. Every finished piece, whether a personal work or a commissioned portrait, feels like a triumph because it’s a testimony that creativity can push through limits. One of my proudest feelings is seeing my art touch lives, whether it’s capturing the strength of a leader or the quiet hope of everyday people.
How do you engage with your audience and what message or emotion do you hope to evoke through your work?
I see my art as a conversation, each portrait or painting holds pieces of my own journey, patience, devotion, even sleepless nights and I want viewers to feel that honesty when they look at it. I hope to evoke emotions that stay with people, whether it’s hope, reflection, or even a challenge to think differently about the world around them. Through social media, exhibitions, or just one-on-one conversations, I want people to not only see my work but also feel the story behind it.
What role do community and collaboration play in your artistic journey, if any?
Community is everything, I wouldn’t be the artist I am without the people around me, friends who encourage me, clients who trust me with their visions, or the wider community of artists in Africa who inspire me. Collaboration too pushes me out of my comfort zone and opens new doors. At the end of the day, I believe art is not just about me, it’s about building connections and creating something bigger than myself.
What are your future aspirations for your art, both in terms of projects and wider reach?
Part of my future aspirations is that my art will be known globally and part of the functions is to shape the world, not just with my artworks alone but even the works of other artists out there that has what the world needs. Looking ahead, I want my art to go beyond just finished pieces, I want it to become a voice. My dream is to create works that connect Africans to their roots while also speaking to the world about who we are, our struggles, and our beauty. I see myself working on larger projects, maybe exhibitions or series that tell deeper stories about identity, hope, and social issues. On a personal level, I hope to reach a wider audience, both locally and internationally so that when people see my name or my work, they immediately connect with its authenticity and passion. I also want to inspire younger artists, especially here in Africa, to believe that their creativity has value and can stand tall anywhere in the world. For me, the future isn’t just about recognition, it’s about impact, using my art to start conversations, heal, and remind people that even in challenges, there’s beauty worth holding on to.
How can your art be purchased or commissioned?
My art can be purchased or commissioned via the following platforms.
Whatsapp – +2348024546337
Email – atujorjoseph@gmail.com
Instagram – @joseph_ atujor
