Uchay Joel Chima’s Human Resources Emphasise Strength In Numbers

Currently showing at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YMSA) is a solo exhibition of artist Uchay Joel Chima titled Human Resources.

The exhibition which explores the theme of bonds and strength in unity or numbers, while metaphorically addressing the nation’s obsession with natural resources rather than in the investment and development of its abundant and unique human resources.

To create the pieces Chima manipulates grain sacs and Ghana Must Go bags and twined to depict people, the food sac is a pointer to the saying that ‘we are what we eat’. The twine indicates notion of friendship, bonding, intimacy, togetherness and oneness.

He depicts the humans by knotting and tying the sacs to form the head, neck and draperies as the abstract and traditionally clothed form of the figures. The head at the bottom of the canvas is the largest, reducing in size as they go up. Some heads come together more than others, suggesting whispering and conversations.

“Uchay suggest in this presentation that every human being has a goldmine of limitless potential, but while some people are aware of it, many others are unaware of it and end up lost in the crowd.”

Created in 2013, Human Resource is one of Chima’s works on display at the YSMA for public viewing. Born in 1971 and spent his childhood in Enugu, studied Fine Arts at the Institute of Management Science and Technology Enugu. By combining conventional and unconventional art forms, the artist conveys relatable themes through his art.