Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Every day I wake up and thank God I'm an artist.
Then I thank Him for my mom getting me to study art,
you know, because it's really illogical, especially
for someone in a third- world country,
to encourage their kid to study a thing impractical as art.
Growing up in Nigeria, it was easy for me to
look around and see that we weren't rich.
I didn't feel the opportunities were there for me,
and l had to look for them elsewhere.
It was pretty easy to see that America was the
place where dreams were made and fulfilled.
By the time I was 16, I was six-foot-seven.
One of the first questions people ask me is,
"Do you play basketball?"
I didn't really know what basketball was.
Once I started learning the game,
I was able to get a scholarship to come to America
and play college basketball.
The rest is history, I guess.
I tell you, man, I like to come here when it's raining.
I'm running for the studio because
it reminds me of Nigeria. We have metal roofs.
When it rains, you know, ah, the noise it makes.
The sound is like music to my ears.
I realize it's the human soul I'm in love with,
the joy of humanity that I'm in love with.
These forms are like houses— an edifice that houses
this noble, majestic spirit of a man or woman.
I don't know how I do it. I just do it.
This is the best, I tell you. Doin' something I love to do.
It comes straight from my heart.
Man, it was a fantastic day, you know?
I had a real good show. I don't think I can lift both of you.
I go to work believing there is a God,
and He inspires every one of His children.
I believe He can inspire me as a husband,
as a father, and also as an artist.
My name is Nnamdi Okonkwo. I'm a father.
I'm a husband. I'm an artist.
I love life. I love the rain.
I love it. I love it, man. And I'm a Mormon.