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3M3KA: Transforming Textile Into Exuberant Art

The Art of 3M3KA was born of the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of Emeka Okoro drawing heavily from his Nigerian roots and boldly displays the pulsating, multi-colored traditions of his country. His creativity led him to convert his paintings into rugs, and design velvet slippers, cuff links, and T-shirts, all inspired by the 50th anniversary of Nigerian independence. The blend of rigid structure and the unbridled zest for life portrayed in Okoro’s paintings is a feast for the eyes, and the story behind the art twines the life of an artist and viewer together.


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“…As you move towards your journey, wherever you are, you will find people who will enable you to achieve your ultimate dream,” he said. “My ultimate dream is to continue to create as long as I live, wherever I am, whatever that is…”

Emeka arrived to the United States in 1985 on a scholarship to attend a prep school in New Mexico at the Armand Hammer United World College- a school founded by King Charles’ brother in order to promote international understanding. He moved to Charlotte to work for Bank of America, and then in Competitive Intelligence at USAA in San Antonio, Texas. According to him, San Antonio is a reminder of the certain similarities between the Latin and Nigerian cultures which includes attention to family and vibrant colors.


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Inspired by architecture, his art has colors that complement each other with lots of geometric shapes. He draws inspiration from the Osogbo movement in Nigeria. Similar to the different eras of art in Europe, it is an art movement. In this movement, images of shrines were painted and different forms of traditional worship told a story. This was art that fascinated Emeka because of the bright colors and representation of the culture. In this movement the artists always painted what they saw- painting on rocks and inside the walls of mud huts.

“…Inspired by the Miami-based Cuban artist Britto who put his art on luggage, Emeka saw how versatile art can be…”

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Inspired by the Miami-based Cuban artist Britto who put his art on luggage, Emeka saw how versatile art can be. Realizing his paintings naturally looked very textile and being entrepreneurial, Emeka branded his artwork- turning them to rugs, wall decors and other products including scarves, beach towels and rugs.