Chibuike Ifedilichukwu creates artworks from waste materials. This piece, "Ilundu," is made from discarded aluminum cans. Scroll through the gallery to see more of his work.
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
Ifedilichukwu first cleans discarded cans and cuts off the ends to unfurl them. He then cuts the cans into strips, which he interweaves to form portraits. The Nigerian artist says his eco-awareness is down to his grandmother (pictured in this portrait), who he lived with as a boy in Anambra state, southeastern Nigeria.
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
Ifedilichukwu has created portraits of many famous faces and he plans to focus on eco-conscious celebrities. This work is of Afrobeats star Davido, who has worked with conservation group WildAid.
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
This piece is called "Fair Play." Ifedilichukwu wrote on Instagram that it shows "a youngster wearing Ozo red cap which is a symbol of a titled man. In his right hand he holds up a consecrated Ofo which is the symbol of justices, equity and uprightness, and on his left hand, he holds Ngwuogiliga which means staff of authority."
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
The artist is also willing to suffer for his art, and sometimes gets cut by the metal's sharp edges. "(Getting cut) is not a problem for me. It will heal," Ifedilichukwu said. "It's also become part of the message. I feel the pain the waste would have caused to the environment."
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
This piece was created from aluminum and plastic.
Chibuike Ifedilichukwu
As well as aluminum cans and plastic, Ifedilichukwu uses other waste materials. "Sacred Race," from 2023, includes bullet shells and wire.
