This Artist Walked Out of University… Then Built a Global Art Career From Nothing

Aunty’s is a limited sculpture collection by Anthony Azekwoh, released in collaboration with Afropolitan.

We are placing 200 sculptures from the collection.
Acquisition is by application only.

This is not a traditional purchase. Each piece is placed intentionally.

Applications can be submitted here:
https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTr

In this episode of The Afropolitan Podcast, we sit down with Anthony Azekwoh, a Nigerian visual artist and sculptor redefining how African memory, culture, and identity are preserved through art.

This conversation introduces Aunty’s, a sculpture collection rooted in reclaiming African history after centuries of cultural theft — beginning with the looting of the Benin Bronzes in 1897. Rather than waiting for restitution, this episode explores what it means to rebuild African memory through ownership, craft, and contemporary creation.

Anthony breaks down his creative process, from sketching and digital sculpting to producing physical sculptures in Nigeria using bronze, marble dust, and fiberglass. He reflects on the role of “aunties” as cultural archivists, the importance of joy and celebration in African storytelling, and why African homes can become modern museums.

The conversation also goes deeper into Anthony’s personal journey. He speaks candidly about leaving university, navigating religious institutions, financial instability, NFT booms and crashes, payment barriers for African creatives, and what it took to rebuild after hitting financial rock bottom. This is a rare, unfiltered look at what it means to build art, business, and legacy from Africa — without permission.

Legal Disclaimer: The opinions, statements, and views expressed by guests appearing on the Afropolitan Podcast are solely their own and do not represent the views, opinions, or positions of Afropolitan, its hosts, affiliates, or employees. Any claims or characterizations made by guests regarding third parties, including institutions or organizations, are the guest's personal opinions and should not be interpreted as statements of fact endorsed by this platform.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Teaser: Anthony on making his first million through prints

1:28 - Welcome & Introduction to the Aunties Sculpture Collection

1:47 - The History: 1897 Benin Bronze Looting & Cognitive Colonization

2:39 - Why Aunties Matter to African History

3:15 - Anthony Explains Why He Created the Aunties Collection

4:05 - The Design Philosophy: Circles, Triangles & Making African Shapes Iconic

5:06 - Creative Process: How an Idea Becomes a Sculpture

6:33 - Bringing Production Home to Nigeria (3D Printing & Bronze from Benin)

7:15 - "We Are Our Own Museums Now" - Art Living in Homes Worldwide

9:01 - Disconnection from African Art History & Discovering It Abroad

10:55 - What Anthony Wants People to Feel When They Own an Auntie

12:25 - Connecting the African Diaspora Through Art

13:04 - Playing Eternal Games with Eternal People

16:23 - Anthony's Origin Story: Starting as a Writer Who Taught Himself to Draw

16:50 - Why He Left Covenant University (The Full Story)

19:52 - Peak NFT Boom & Figuring Out How to Make Art a Living

24:28 - Emeka's Story: How He Got Himself Rejected from Faith Academy

31:06 - The Covenant University Experience & Institutional Control

35:39 - Biggest Misconceptions About Monetizing Art

37:16 - The Red Man Painting & First Million Naira Moment

38:45 - "You Can't Game the System" - Why Hit Paintings Can't Be Predicted

39:16 - How NFTs Changed Everything for African Artists

41:38 - Payment Rails Nightmare: PayPal Holding $10K for 6 Months

43:43 - Why Crypto is a Lifeline for African Creators

45:00 - Dad's Reaction to the Art Money Coming In

47:11 - The Sculpture Business Failure: Starting 2024 at -$20K

53:38 - Clearing 100 Million Naira by December

54:49 - Is Web3 Dead? (Anthony's Take)

56:06 - How Anthony Got Into NFTs & First Sale Story

59:57 - The Crypto Crash: Losing $20-30K Overnight

1:02:49 - Business Opportunities in the Art World

1:05:28 - Loneliness in Building an Art Business

1:11:14 - Rapid Fire Questions (Favorite Nigerian Dish, Mythical Figure, Books, Movies)

1:15:22 - "There's No Plan B" - Compounding on One Thing

1:15:48 - 50 Years From Now: "The Greatest Ever"

1:16:20 - Gatekeeping in the Art World

1:17:27 - Tattoo Stories & Parent Reactions

1:23:01 - Who Should Be on the Afropolitan Podcast? (Rema's recommendation)