About 30 percent of college students change their major sometime within their first three years of school, with the majority of them starting out in math or science, according to a report from the Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics.
A Kennesaw State student presented three pieces at the School of Art and Design’s Capstone Art Exhibition Monday, Nov. 5 — the latest in a series of milestones achieved after leaving his science major behind to pursue his dream of creating art.
Ugo Agoruah initially attended KSU as a biology major but after completing his junior year, he took a break from school, during which, found his passion and purpose through art.
“I took a break and during that semester I had a lot of time to think to myself and just be by myself,” Agoruah said. “With that came some depression, feeling stagnant, and then from there I kind of used art as a way to get out of that.”
Agoruah said he had always had a connection with art, but he didn’t take it seriously until he returned to KSU. When he came back, he attempted to resume his pursuit in biology while also majoring in art. In doing so, Agoruah had hopes of becoming a medical illustrator, but he ended up dropping biology and pursuing art wholeheartedly. This transition was not initially supported by his parents, which Agoruah expected, so he felt that he had to prove his talent.
“They never really took it seriously,” Argorauh said, adding that his parents would voice their disapproval. “I told my family I was keeping biology so, during that time of double majoring, I applied to as many different art shows and art events as I could, just to show them I was working and doing something with art.”
Agorauh has had his artwork showcased in a plethora of exhibitions, such as “Vision’s 33rd and 34th Annual Student Art Exhibit,” hosted by Kennesaw State University and “Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia Pin-Up Show” in Atlanta.
Agoruah’s biggest inspiration is music, which he said is a way for him to get into an inspirational and creative mindset. His music selection ranges from Japanese to classical to rap, but his greatest musical inspiration comes from a rapper known as Big K.R.I.T.
“Big K.R.I.T is actually one person I can listen to during any paint session because I love his music a lot,” Agoruah said. “A lot of the messages in his music are the messages I want to show in my art. So, I appreciate his artistry in that way.”
Art has also played an influential and positive role in Agoruah’s journey, providing healing and purpose. Although he said that he isn’t trying to convey one specific message with his art, the profound effects of healing and therapy are themes Agoruah says he has noticed.
“My mom used to pray for me to have healing hands so she always thought I was going to be a doctor, of course, but it turns out the healing hands she was praying for was through art,” Agoruah said.
The Capstone Art Exhibition showcases the artwork of seniors graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, like Aroruah, and will be in the Fine Arts Gallery of the Wilson Building until Dec. 6.