Dr. Ben Onuorah, PhD | Fine Artist · Software Engineer · AI Researcher

Benjamin Osondu Onuorah, PhD
Fine Artist · Software Engineer · AI Researcher · Lecturer

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ORCID: 0000-0002-7585-5658
+2348037490533
benjamin.onuorah@gmail.com
benjamin.onuorah@visionuniversity.edu.ng

My art explores the deep connections between African philosophy, identity, and storytelling. I draws from ancestral wisdom, symbolic language, and lived experience, transforming traditional ideas into contemporary visual narratives. [Artist Statement]

Self-portrait

I am a Software Engineer skilled in building practical and efficient applications. I work with PHP, Python and C# to create reliable applications and AI-driven solutions. I focus on writing clean, scalable code and designing systems that are intuitive and effective.

I began my formal art education at Yaba College of Technology, where I earned a National Diploma (ND) in General Art. I then proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts with Education. My studio practice culminated with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting from the University of Benin. My MFA thesis, “Exploration of Pareidolia Phenomenon for Mixed-Media Painting,” marked a pivotal point in my conceptual focus on visual abstraction and psychological interpretation.

I’m best known for my Osondu and Soul Searcher series—bodies of work that showcase my signature use of intricate line work, dynamic strokes, and culturally embedded iconography. The Osondu Series alone features over 200 drawings centered on African cultural heritage, expressed through detailed linear motifs inspired by traditional Uli and Nsibidi designs.

In addition to my visual art practice, I hold a National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Computer Science, Master in Information Technology (MIT), Master of Education (M.Ed) in Educational Technology and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in ICT Education and Artificial Intelligence from Lagos State University. My doctoral research explored the intersection of art, science education, and AI through a culturally responsive framework. This multidisciplinary foundation informs my contributions to STEAM education and edtech innovations across Africa.

Paintings (199)

Drawings (292)

Graphics (59)

Blog

"Cultural Procession” is a visual meditation on identity in motion

"Cultural Procession” is a visual meditation on identity in motion; a symbolic journey through heritage, memory, and collective experience. In this work, Ben Onuorah captures the rhythm and continuity of culture as it is carried, transformed, and reimagined across generations.

The painting draws inspiration from traditional communal gatherings, where movement becomes language and attire becomes history. Figures within the composition are not merely subjects; they are carriers of story; each gesture, color, and form contributing to a layered narrative of belonging and transition. The procession itself becomes a metaphor: culture is not static, but alive, evolving, and performed.

Executed with a balance of expressive texture and deliberate structure, the work reflects Onuorah’s signature approach, merging philosophical inquiry with visual storytelling. The interplay of color suggests both harmony and tension, echoing the complexities of cultural identity in a contemporary world.

Accompanying this piece is a... Continue reading