By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor

In preparation for his solo art exhibition titled “Out of the eater came something to eat” which runs from 29 March to 2 April 2025 at the National Museum, Lagos, Prince Maduekwe spoke with Vanguard about his life, works and the exhibition: 

Was the seed of art sowed in you at IMT Enugu, or was it in you from childhood?

Art has been my passion since childhood, with my drawings admired from kindergarten through secondary school. However, I never knew art can be a career. I aspired to be a navy diver or an attorney. I initially gained admission to study law through JAMB. During that period I visited Enugu, and stumbled upon the art department at IMT while at Polo Park. That moment sparked a realization, and I decided to pursue art, immediately purchasing an admission form. My mother was furious and insisted I study law, even securing me a place at the then Holborn Law College to study Law, Government, and Politics at A Levels. I refused, and after some persuasion from my father, she finally allowed me to follow my passion for art at IMT.

Tell us your background – primary and secondary school education, etc. Are you related to the late Ojo Maduekwe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs?

I began my education at Welfare Nursery for kindergarten and attended Constitution Crescent Primary School (formerly Santa Maria) in Aba. For secondary school, I went to Wilcox Memorial Comprehensive School, also in Aba.

I pursued Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where I majored in painting. Additionally, I studied Graphic Design at Sessions College for Professional Design in Tempe, Arizona.

Yes, the late Chief Ojo Maduekwe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was my uncle.

When and how did you relocate to USA?

I relocated to the USA in 2002. I initially traveled for a conference organized by the American Society of Portrait Artists. After the conference, a museum offered me an opportunity to work with them, which led to my move.

You joined the U.S. Army in 2006. How did that happen, and what business has an artist got with soldiering?

I had always been fascinated by both art and the military, particularly naval diving and global military affairs, like the Cold War tensions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. As a child, I spent my pocket money on books like Encyclopedia of Sea Warfare, Commando war comics, Time Magazine, and Newsweek.

In 2006, despite my career in art, I decided to join the U.S. Army. When I informed my museum director about my decision, he was surprised and told me, “Prince, you’re an artist, a nonconformist. In the military, you follow orders; you’re not expected to think outside the box.”

But I joined anyway, and to my surprise, I discovered that the U.S. Army is an amazing institution that not only values discipline but also encourages creativity.

Did your military service in any way benefit your career as an artist or/and vice-verse?

Yes, my career benefited tremendously from my military service. The U.S. Army is an incredible institution that instills discipline, resilience, and leadership—qualities that have greatly influenced my artistic journey. While my active art career was partially on hold due to the demands of military life, the Army provides strong support for service members after their tenure. There are numerous programs designed to help veterans succeed post-service, and I was able to leverage those opportunities to further my career in art.

Your works are said to explore spirituality and the supernatural. Could you cite some specific works of yours that deal with those themes?

One of my most significant works exploring spirituality and the supernatural is “Out of the Eater Came Something to Eat,” created during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This piece is deeply prophetic and serves as the theme for this exhibition. The pandemic was a time of fear, uncertainty, and global shutdown, yet from that crisis emerged a powerful sustenance—the NSPPD prayer platform. I saw firsthand how NSPPD uplifted people struggling with fear and depression during that period, and this work captures that transformative experience.

Another key piece is “Unbind Them and Let Them Go,” where I use my signature technique—riding my bike on dirt and transferring the tire tread marks onto the canvas. This piece symbolizes the power of worship and praise, as God’s presence melts away obstacles and breaks every rope of bondage.

Additionally, And This Shows is an ongoing series featuring artworks that highlight locations where the NSPPD prayer conference has been held. As the conference expands to new countries, I continue to add to this series, documenting its global spiritual impact.

Religion and superstition have become the bane of our Nigerian society. While pastors are using the name of God and Jesus to milk their gullible followers, the babalawos and debias are misleading young people into the belief that juju is the secret to making money. As an artist, one would have expected that you speak out against this ill, but instead, you’re talking about a certain “God-ordained movement led by Pastor Jerry Eze” whom many see as one of those fraudulent pastors fleecing gullible people. How would you reconcile this incongruity?

I’m laughing because it’s important to recognize that anything original, authentic, and of value is often counterfeited. The “get rich quick” mentality among the youth can be attributed to the breakdown in our value system, particularly when those they look up to, including government leaders, are mired in corruption. What do we expect from a society that has lost its moral compass?

The truth is, by their fruits you shall know them. I’ve personally experienced and witnessed the miraculous and accurate manifestations of God’s power through Pastor Jerry Eze’s ministry, particularly at the #NSPPD altar of fire prayer sessions. How could I not speak about this God-ordained movement? We’re uncomfortable because NSPPD doesn’t conform to the status quo or our usual way of practicing Christianity.

I challenge anyone to participate in the NSPPD platform for 60 days and return to tell us whether or not they felt God’s real presence. I come from a lineage where my father was a Rabbi, and I have explored many faiths and religious texts—I’ve read the Bible, the Koran, and even works like the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants, Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad. I was then brought into Catholicism through my marriage. But it was through Pastor Dr. Jerry Eze’s ministry that I found the true God, Yahweh, El-Roi, the God who sees me.

You can argue with a man who has read, but you can’t argue with a man who has had an experience. I’ve seen, I’ve read, and I’ve experienced the miraculous on this NSPPD prayer platform.

Where is your career now as an artist; what are you working on presently?

Right now, my artistic career is centered on giving back—using my art as a tool to spread the good news and mentor young creatives. Through my new foundation, Art Angels, I am dedicated to encouraging creativity and supporting the artistic journey of underprivileged children. My focus is on nurturing talent, providing opportunities, and using art as a means of empowerment and transformation within communities.

Where are you headed artistically?

Artistically, I find myself more drawn to the creative process than the finished piece. It’s the why, how, and the journey toward completion that truly fascinates me. The exploration, experimentation, and storytelling within each work hold deeper meaning than just the final outcome.

What advice do you have for upcoming artists? Is the United States still a country that young artists can look forward to coming?

My advice to upcoming artists is to have an open mind, work hard, believe in your calling, and never be afraid to be different. Authenticity and perseverance are key in the art world.

The United States remains a great country for artists, offering opportunities and platforms to grow. However, creativity knows no borders—the world is yours to explore, and as an artist, you can thrive anywhere.