Entrepreneurship in Visual Arts: Furniture and Arts Enterprise of Okey Chinwuba

Abstract

In Africa, Visual arts entrepreneurship predates the colonial period. Among the Awka-Igbo, for example various aspects of entrepreneurship exist, especially in the traditional metal industry and the trend is still on till this day. This work focuses on Okey Chinwuba’s wood and metal designs. Chinwuba's works do not only celebrate the ancient Igbo metal art and folklore but have proved that art practice in Nigeria is economically and socially rewarding. It is also a means of gainful employment and positive step towards self-reliance and building a virile national economy. It is hoped that this work will simulate and encourage more research into entrepreneurship and visual art practice in Nigeria or a possible shift in paradigm.