Sights 4 The Eyes: Olivia Ngozi Obi

Rise of a Rose- Feel the feminine and floral display in Ngozi’s way.

Meet Olivia Ngozi Obi. A local astonishing artisan and teacher of creative technique at her peek. Well known for her celebration of womanhood and melanin muse, this artist showcases her love for vibrance, violets, and vivid depiction in her art and style. Tap in as I chat with the beautiful creator about her journey and take on the future of FEM.

Painter, muralist, and art instructor Olivia Ngozi Obi caught the eyes of her art teachers in school, leading to her being “cornered” into her creativity. “In 2nd grade, one of my teachers got me into one of my first art shows at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In middle school, my art teacher at the time told me to stay after school to practice a few techniques with her.”, says the Pine Lawn/Hazelwood native. “From clay to painting, those are the things I’m still into today.” From humble beginnings in jr. high school to honorary works as an art scholar and teacher, Ngozi has made an impression beyond her former classroom.

“Growing up, my mother’s music taste also inspired me a lot.”, shares Ngozi. “She was into a lot of neo-soul. Like Lenny Kravitz, Erykah Badu, and Fugees. Just seeing and hearing that black imagery and black joy, that was really influential. The colors the melanin and just the overall feeling of empowerment.” After high school, the Hazelwood West alum studied at Missouri State University (MSU) and graduated with her degree in Fine Arts from UMSL in St. Louis.

The 28 yr. old artist is known for curating colorful and vibrant pieces of black women in particular in unique composition. “I kind of get my color pallets from like old album covers that I remember from my childhood.”, she explains. “My artistic style is abstract and colorful. To invite light and joy into the room. If I’m doing a portrait painting, it would be more detail and realism. Sometimes I mix realism and abstract together.” Olivia is also an art workshop instructor and teacher at Kairos Academies in south St. Louis.

“I want people to feel free when they look at my work.”, says the painter. “Calm, joy, hope, and peace. On our journey we as people experience so many hard things. Sometimes I feel like America wants to just remind us of it. So, I want my art to be a complete alternate reality from that. Kind of go into your own world.” Her work has been featured in several local exhibitions, galleries and venues, such as The City Museum, Art St. Louis, The Luminary, and The KRe8 Place.

Currently, Olivia Ngozi is teaching and curating her next best masterpiece. She’s also looking forward to more “artistic spaces” in the region to support local painters and artists. “I feel like in St. Louis it’s hard to find studio space, especially if it’s not academic. I see a lot more artist lofts and spaces popping up and that’s a start. I would also like to see more women collectives in art as well.” Bright is the light of this creative’s colorful path. Step by step…it’s a VIBE.