By Osa Mbonu-Amadi, Arts Editor 

A story was told of how Sandra Izsadore, a female Black-rights activist who met Fela in California during his ten-month US tour with Koola Lobitos in 1969, ridiculed the type of songs Fela was playing and encouraged him to go and play songs that will address the problem of his people. Fela got the message, and thus was born Afrobeat.

Wakrot Chinshaka, a visual artist who is deeply influenced by his heritage and upbringing in Jos, Nigeria, a region rich in cultural diversity but marked by ethnic and religious tensions, needed no such prompting. The problem in his country, especially in Jos, inspires much of his work, including acclaimed projects like More Love, Less War and The Blood-Stained Child, which address pressing social and cultural issues.

Chinshaka, through these initiatives uses his art as a tool to foster unity and celebrate diversity while advocating for peace in his homeland Jos and around the globe.

Wakrot Chinshaka is the true definition of a Renaissance artist whose creative journey effortlessly fuses his experience as a visual artist, industrial designer and architect.

His strong passion in resolving human and social issues has pushed Chinshaka to come up with creative experiences and solutions that resonate with individuals from a broad range of audiences worldwide. His works go beyond conventional boundaries, highlighting string art, digital art, fabric design patterns and acrylic on canvas owing to his boundless creativity and versatility.

Chinshaka’s artistic foundation is all rooted in his background in architecture and His Master’s degree in Industrial design from the Prestigious Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts London. These have equipped him with a distinctive ability to balance aesthetic appeal and functionality which fuel his exploration of art as a medium he uses to solve real world problems with meaningful solutions. The multidisciplinary perspective he brings enriches his creative process and allows him to infuse various elements which includes design, structure and storytelling into his work.

Chinshaka’s Artistic portfolio has a defining element which is his string art mastery, an art style he explored during his time as the Art Director at HOP Craft Studio in Abuja, Nigeria. This is an Intricate art practice that involves colorful threads woven arounds nails hit on surfaces to create designs that are figurative and geometric. This has slowly become and key part and hallmark of his creative practice. The mediums used include a wooden board, nails, paint and strings which and be thread or wool.

Chinshaka’s string art work always stands out for its attention to detail, craftmanship and the deep-rooted narrative it carries with it. He has gotten numerous commissions from corporate clients and private art collectors and has been sought after widely which had further set him up as a leader in the unique medium of string art.

Chinshaka’s work goes beyond string art and as an industrial designer, he reflects his commitment to his creative thinking and problem-solving ability. He interlaces artistic ingenuity with the practically he brings while addressing world challenges and delivering designs that are though provoking and functional at the same time. He uses a variety of mediums in a very innovative way which include digital art and fabric design further highlighting his ability to explore new artistic dimensions and go beyond conventional barriers and bring fresh perspectives on the role of art in shaping a more harmonious and inclusive world.