OBIEKWE “OBI”
photo by Jared Soares
OKOLO
A Nigerian-American storyteller, creative director, designer, and multimedia artist dedicated to uncovering truths and building connections through story. Raised between Lagos and San Antonio, his work blends the contrasts of two worlds, exploring identity, community, and belonging with evocative depth.
*OH-BEE-EH-KWEH
Artist, Writer, & Creative Director
*just sound it out, you got it.
Featured Work
DESIGN
CONCEPT, CREATIVE DIRECTION, ART DIRECTION
ART
CURATION, CREATIVE DIRECTION
“I’ve always had a hard time narrowing my scope of interests. There are just so many beautiful things in this world, and an equally infinite number of ways to engage with them. At a certain point, probably in my early 20’s I stopped asking myself what I wanted to be when I grew up and started identifying the things I didn’t want. That proved to be a much more exciting exercise. More portfolio is a bit of a mess—I like to think a beautiful one. Like a well-loved box of crayons.”
From the stage at DC Climate Week - Nature in Art Panel
YAP
2024 Creative Mornings DC
ART
ARTIST RESIDENCY, CURATION, SHOW CONCEPTION
aka recency bias
WRITTEN
Comment Magazine: Violence
DESIGN
CONCEPT, BRANDING, CREATIVE DIRECTION, ART DIRECTION
Other Work - Writing &Yapping
A Miscellany on Release - Creative Mornings DC
Letting go unlocks creativity, fosters vulnerability, & cultivates growth through intentional, agile growth.
Humanity in the Age of AI: The Role of Storytelling
Storytelling preserves empathy, human spirit, and collective values in the AI era—guiding innovation with soul.
Holdfast: Storytelling That Grounds, Heals & Connects
In this episode of Hold Fast, we’re slowing down to explore the deep, healing power of story.
WRITING &YAP
Architecture And: Creative Direction - Practice Distrupted
Architectural training is storytelling, strategy, and creative leadership—unlocking paths beyond traditional practice. The profession doesn’t want that.
Mastering Your Brand Identity for Long-Term
Unlock the secrets to building a bold, consistent brand identity that connects, inspires, and lasts.
Punk is Resistance - Moderator
Punk spirit teaches creative resilience, authenticity, and rebellion to challenge norms and spark innovation.
Other Work - Client Services
Leadership Foundation
Engaged to create a one-of-a-kind printed publication featuring essays by renowned thinkers of our time.
BYU Wheatley Institute
BYU’s Wheatley Institute reached out to tighten and unify an existing but inconsistent brand identity.
Experience Design - Multi Client
Led teams of large foundations & partners on experience & environmental design for events & activations.
Client Services
United Nations Foundation
Invited to build a system for reports in the style of DIAL’s refreshed brand, deploying a series of colorful illustrations and gradients.
BitterSweet Books Art Direction & Cover Design
Partnered with authors to give visual form to their words. Managing the publishing team & designing covers for imprint’s books.
Every Person Empowered
Invited to imagine a nationwide cultural movement for human flourishing and empowerment.