Ikenchukwu Solomon, popularly known as Solomon Iken, was born and working in Nigeria as a hyperrealist artist and art tutor; graduated from Babcock University with a B.Sc in International Law and Diplomacy.
“Early in my life, I always had a liking for everything related to pencil on paper and now despite my degree I find myself being a full-time pencil artist specialised in portrait realism through the medium of graphite and charcoal,” says Ikenchukwu Solomon. Solomon’s love for creating realistic portraits was ignited at a very young age all thanks to his late Elder brother who taught him a great deal of what he knows and has improved on today. He told him that “we were all beautifully carved into being and that means we can as well create beauty.” Solomon was greatly inspired by his drawings growing up and now has learned that art can set the eyes of the world on normal human beings.
In the category of Hyperrealism, he sees his drawings as the most real means through which he can express his appreciation for life while seeking to achieve a logical expression of the human essence. Solomon loves to draw faces and capture emotion with great attention to detail and all that makes a countenance! “Working with charcoal has been a great deal to achieving that. Art speaks to the hearts of viewers, art evokes emotion and sparks desire, art helps us see and understand perspectives and art listens to whispers of the soul – this is my mission whenever I hold a pencil,” describes Ikenchukwu Solomon.
“My art is born out of errors and in my mistakes, presents an opportunity for perfection,” says Ikenchukwu Solomon. He draws inspiration from life experiences (especially his own) and in most cases anything that acknowledges the presence, the essence of and appreciation for life, happiness and beauty as expressed through facial emotional gestures and body postures of drawing subjects.
“I love sharing my process as well as motivating other aspiring artists – this has made drawing a lot more blissful and I aim to keep growing. My motivation for making art comes from my daily desire to be more confident, consistent and concentrated. These ideals have aided me through my journey as an artist till this very day,” says Ikenchukwu Solomon.