In the Hands of Collins Asiegbu, Discarded Objects are Given a Second Life

(Collins Asiegbu in his studio)

In a modest studio filled with discarded machine parts, worn-out vehicle components, twisted wires and forgotten metal fragments, Nigerian sculptor Collins Asiegbu sees possibilities where others see waste.

The scraps represent the end of an object's usefulness, but Collins, they are the beginning of a new story.

The full-time studio artist transforms industrial remnants into striking sculptures that bridge history and contemporary African identity. Horses emerge from rusted steel, human figures take shape from salvaged components, and discarded materials find renewed purpose under his skilled hands.

To him, artists are not ordinary people; they “are the keepers of time, they see beauty where others see waste.” It is this philosophy that guides every aspect of his practice. He has developed a visual language rooted in documentation and preservation.

His works are deeply connected to lived experiences and social realities. Through metal, he records events that define his generation. “As an artist and an African, my works are inclined to document the times I have lived and will live in,” he explains.

In Collins’ hands, forgotten materials become vessels of memory. The creative process is both intuitive and reflective. Rather than imposing rigid ideas on his materials, he allows each piece to reveal its own possibilities over time. He believes ideas are rarely complete at their inception; “they unfold gradually through observation, experimentation and reflection.”

This openness gives his sculptures a unique depth, inviting the audience to discover their own meanings within the work. His work is a reminder that the past is never truly discarded.

His sculptures challenge viewers to reconsider their relationship with everyday objects. A discarded engine part becomes the face of a horse. Industrial waste evolves into elegant human forms. 

Collins Asiegbu is a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, Anambra, Nigeria. He advanced his artistic voice during an industrial training programme at the Universal Studios of Art, Lagos, Nigeria. The experience exposed him to new techniques and expanded his understanding of sculpture as both a creative and historical tool. 

Drawing inspiration from everyday life and the works of established artists such as Fidelis Odogwu, Dada Adedayo, Steve Ekpenisi and Dotun Popoola. Collins creates sculptures that preserve fragments of contemporary African life for future generations. “Artistic creation is an act of continuity,” he said.

Just as he draws inspiration from those who came before him, he hopes his work will inspire future generations.

By Udemma Chukwuma

Chukwuma is a freelance journalist. She contributes to The Nation Newspaper and The New Telegraph, tackling pressing issues and shedding light on untold stories. Her in-depth analysis of art and culture showcases her keen eye for detail and commitment to truth. She is the author of Left with Shadows, her debut book, published in 2020.