b. 1974, Delta State, Nigeria Lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria Chika Idu is a Nigerian multimedia artist whose practice spans over 27 years. Born in Delta State, he studied painting at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, graduating in 1998. His work engages themes of environment, identity, and social commentary—often reflecting on the lived experiences of women and children within cultural, traditional, and urban contexts. Idu is known for his distinctive hazy texture and light-infused technique, which he describes as “light against visual distortion”—a method developed through years of studying the interplay of dust, atmosphere, and illumination. His oil paintings are characterized by layered, blurred surfaces, while his watercolour and acrylic works reveal a more delicate handling of form and narrative. A founding member of Defactori Studios, a pioneering collective of new-generation artists in Nigeria, Idu also established SABLES—the country’s first Water Colour Society of Artists. His commitment to artistic community building and mentorship is longstanding. Over the past 16 years, Idu has dedicated much of his practice to highlighting the plight of the African child. Recently, he launched an environmental campaign addressing the risks faced by children in coastal slums. His works have been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Nigeria and internationally, and continue to provoke dialogue around pressing social and ecological concerns.