The Last Supper - A splendid painting created by Stephen Chinedu Achugwo

FREE STATE NEWS: JANUARY 21 – JANUARY 28 2011 edition, Bloemfontein South Africa.

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: “A splendid painting” Written by Flaxman Qoopane. Page 2

Reproduced hereunder:

A Splendid Painting

By Flaxman Qoopane

Stephen Chinedu Achugwo has become famous in Mangaung for his splendid painting paying tribute to eleven international musicians.

Achugwo told Free State News: “I was commissioned by the owners of the Ekhayeni Pub & Grill to use oil colours on canvas to paint the following late musicians, Luciano Pavarotti, Tupac Shakur, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross.

Marvin Gaye, Barry White, Gerald Levert, Groover Washington, Notorius Big and Bob Marley, the painting is titled the last Super @ Ekhayeni the size of the painting is 3m by 1 and half meter.

His eye – catching paintings also hang on the walls of many business buildings in Bloemfontein. “During the World Cup, tourists bought many of my paintings. It has been my wish to sell some of my work to the tourists. I have also exhibited my paintings at several art galleries in Bloemfontein and also during Macufe festival in 2002.

Achugwo is from Nigeria. He came to South Africa in October 2002. “My philosophy in art is based on inspiration. I love creating paintings and artworks that inspire people. I believe that with inspiration, a man can achieve stupendous success in any calling.

“In the South African Society, today, where several efforts are made to encourage people for self – development. I hope to use my paintings to inspire South African people”, he concludes.