Born in Lagos, David Mgbeahuru is a young Digital artist on a mission to mentor young ones.
For David, who had his primary and secondary education in Lagos, his passion for the arts was kindled after he had continuously observed his driven passion for artistic works.
David Mgbeahuru shared his experience about being a digital artist with MAD
Why Do You Make This Type of Art and why are you drawn to this subject?
I make it because since as long as I’ve known myself, I’ve always looked for a way to express myself. To show others what I’m all about. And art in its purest form is a form of expression.
I think of myself as a tool, kind of like a tongue and art. So I can morph it into whatever I so desire.
What Does Your Artwork Represent?
It represents different relationships between me and different subjects.
I used to be a fashion model but I felt I could do something more with this gift I was given. So when I found out about digital art and NFTs, it provided me with a medium to express myself and earn an income. I boldly call myself the world’s first crypto model because I believe having that extra spice that differentiates you from others and thus wouldn’t be possible without the help of Kriss.
Does your art represent something about you?
Yes. As a common theme in all my works I and my multiple experiences appear as the focus so the viewers can go along the journey with me.
What Inspires You?
I look for inspiration in a myriad of things, but most of all is my different experiences as a human in my current predicament. I call it predicament because we’re always using our previous experience to guide our future ones. Art is competitive and in contemporary Nigeria, young people are adopting a number of identities that are compatible with them. Young people choose the best of each. This shows how the young ones want to embrace art works through it roots and value. It gives young people a stronger foundation to develop a self-identity that they are comfortable with. I want to give back to the society.
What connection do you have to your art?
The connection is there for everyone to see. It is the authenticity and uniqueness that can be identified anywhere on earth that this was made by Nirvan or this could only come from the mind of Nirvan. And this is why the connection is so strong.
How Do You Make It?
A long time ago when I couldn’t edit illustrations using Photoshop I had a major collaborator with me, his name was Kriss and together we created magic images. I usually imagined and conceptualized the works, while Kriss handled the digital Manipulations and brought the art to reality. But as my skills in Photoshop grew, I began to express myself and the deep intricacies of my mind. It takes me nearly a month to get an idea and another month to perfectly pour my mind onto my digital canvas. Sometimes a lot of photography is also involved.
What Does Your Art Mean to You?
My art is priceless; it is without form and structure. And it usually gives subtle messages which when brought to light seemed previously unimaginable.
Take “THAT WHICH HOLDS ME BACK” for example, people would think it’s depicting evil or hell but actually it depicts the rare moment of guilt that initially makes the villain doubt his whole intentions.
David, who was one of the participants at Art Exhibition-paint and Sip-NFT Fashion, said he would want his works to be recognised in the art market. Some of his works that have made an impact include” That which hold me back”
