Generating Revenue In Foreign Currency By Creating Visual Art

Visual Art is the arts that meet the eye and evoke an emotion through an expression of skill and imagination. They include the most ancient forms, such as painting and drawing, and the arts that were born thanks to the development of technology, like sculpture, printmaking, photography, and installation art.

Still, one commonality of all visual art forms is to communicate visually, without the need for the other senses such as hearing or touch.

The intent of visual art forms may be to visually please the viewer through an artwork that is beautiful or calming. Some artworks aim to entertain the viewer through interesting or amusing images or as a captivating visual story. The intent of other artwork may be to shock or disturb the viewer to provoke thought and discussion on an important topic or pressing issue.

Hence, its a money making venture as it is lucrative and could even be paid in international currencies if you develop your business to international level.

Chieloka Anadu is an International visual artist who started creating art at a very tender age and now, he travels across the world to showcase his talent, makes money in foreign currencies and able to take care of his financial needs through this means.

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In an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, he said, his primary motivation has always been the pure joy of creation and the ability to express his innermost thoughts through visual media.

“Art also serves as an escape for me – a way to process the world around me and create something beautiful. I use my work to convey my thoughts and emotions, translating them into visual forms that speak to viewers,” he said.

While he develops his skills through constant practice, keen observation, and studying the works of artists he admired, he noted that, it was challenging, but also rewarding as it allowed him develop a unique style and perspective and particularly making money from it.

Motivation

According to him, “My primary motivation has always been the pure joy of creation and the ability to express my innermost thoughts through visual media. Art also serves as an escape for me – a way to process the world around me and create something beautiful.”

Saying he admires the achievements of Ben Enwonwu, he added that “his work in bridging traditional Nigerian art with modern techniques and his success on the international stage have been truly inspiring. Enwonwu showed that Nigerian artists could make a significant impact globally while still maintaining their cultural identity.”

Making Forex From Visual Art

For Nigerians who want to be making forex from visual art, he said: “From my experience exhibiting internationally and receiving commissions from abroad, I can say that there’s growing appreciation for Nigerian art globally. However, there’s still much room for growth. To redefine the narrative and increase our forex earnings, we need to develop a strong national brand for Nigerian art. We should invest in digital platforms to showcase our art globally, facilitate greater participation of Nigerian artists in major international art fairs, and encourage collaborations between Nigerian artists and international galleries. Developing art tourism packages could also attract international visitors and boost our forex earnings.”

Opportunities

Disclosing that, visual art can boost tourism by attracting visitors to its museums, galleries, and cultural sites, he added that, the creative industries create jobs not just for artists, but for a whole ecosystem of professionals. “Exporting artworks and crafts can be a significant source of foreign exchange. Moreover, a thriving art scene stimulates related industries like framing, art supplies, and digital art tools. By investing in our art sector, we’re investing in a vibrant, sustainable part of our economy, he pointed out.

Challenges

“One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was finding galleries willing to work with me. Many galleries preferred to collaborate with either familiar artists or established artists, which was really frustrating. It was a catch-22 situation – you need exposure to get established, but you need to be established to get exposure. Overcoming this hurdle required persistence, consistency, and continual improvement of my craft,” he stressed.

Today, he said, he is proud to say that he has made significant progress in his career, noting that, he had the opportunity to exhibit his works across various galleries in multiple countries, participating in both group and solo exhibitions. “I continue to do so, which allows me to reach diverse audiences and share my art with the world. Additionally, I take on commissioned works, which is gratifying as it means people connect with my artistic vision and want it in their personal spaces,” he said.

Aspiration

On a personal level, he stressed that, “I want to continue growing as an artist, pushing the boundaries of my creativity and technical skills. On a broader scale, I hope my work can contribute to promoting African culture globally and help establish African art more firmly on the international stage. I want to follow in the footsteps of artists like Ben Enwonwu, creating work that resonates both locally and globally.”

Advice To Youths

Believing the government has a crucial role to play in nurturing the arts, he called for increased funding for arts education and programmes, not just in tertiary institutions but at all levels of education. To him, “Grants and financial support for artists, especially emerging ones, would be immensely helpful. Creating more public spaces for art exhibitions and integrating art more thoroughly into school curricula would also go a long way in encouraging youth to explore artistic paths.”

Advocating increased investment in arts education at all levels, he said, the creation of a national endowment for the arts, tax incentives for art purchases and donations, and support for art fairs and international exhibitions featuring Nigerian artists.

These initiatives, he stressed, could significantly boost the Nigerian art scene and its global impact.

Art is a powerful medium for cultural expression and exchange, he said, adding that, “Through our art, we can showcase the richness and diversity of Nigerian culture to the world. By participating in international exhibitions, as I’ve been fortunate to do, we can increase global awareness and appreciation of Nigerian art and culture. Digital platforms also offer exciting opportunities to reach global audiences. Moreover, we can create art that bridges our traditional aesthetics with contemporary global trends, making our cultural expressions relevant and appealing on the world stage.”