Charcoal Artist, Uzoigwe, Unveils “Guardian of Stillness”

Nigerian charcoal portrait artist, Munachi Kenneth Uzoigwe, has released a new drawing titled “Guardian of Stillness,” which is  a large-scale work that moves beyond traditional portrait studies and explores presence through symbolic form.

Known for his steady, tonal approach to drawing, Uzoigwe continues to refine a technique built on patience, observation and slow shading.

The work presents a sculptural dragon form emerging from cloud-like textures, all rendered entirely in charcoal. Though the subject differs from his familiar portrait pieces, the drawing maintains the emotional weight and structural control that define his practice. Each section is shaped through gradual tonal layering, giving the artwork a quiet intensity and depth.

Uzoigwe describes the piece as part of a study into internal strength, memory and reflective emotional states. Completed in the United Kingdom, the work continues the visual discipline he developed through previous exhibitions and collaborations in Nigeria and Ghana, where his portraits received attention from collectors and studio communities.

His professional experience includes showings in Accra and Owerri, along with ongoing work that aligns traditional charcoal methods with contemporary narrative themes. 

“Guardian of Stillness” extends this direction, blending realism with symbolic storytelling while retaining the precision that anchors his portrait technique.

Uzoigwe is currently based in Greater Manchester, where he continues to refine his studio practice and prepare new projects that connect audiences across regions. His work remains grounded in technical clarity, emotional insight and long-term creative focus.