Nigerian artist - The African Mirror

Dec

2023

Victor Ekpuk is a Nigerian artist who uses ancient African graphic writing systems to unveil a stunning new display of creativity

VICTOR Ekpuk is an internationally renowned Nigerian artist known for his artwork inspired by ancient African writing and graphic writing systems. INTERwoven TEXTures is his first solo exhibition at the important Efiɛ gallery in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. There he has also unveiled his public art installation commissioned as part of the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale. It makes him the first African artist to display a public sculpture in the country. RACHEL AMA ASAA ENGMANN, Director of Christiansborg Archaeological Heritage Project, Associate Professor at Africa Institute Sharjah & Associate Graduate Faculty, Rutgers University Ekpuk’s work challenges popular representations…

Apr

2023

By The African Mirror

Photo Feature: The drawings of Nigerian artist Joshua Akugbe

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

NIGERIAN charcoal artist Joshua Osariemen Akugbe shares his journey as an artist and his creative process. Joshua Osariemen Akugbe, also known as JJOSH_ARTZ, is a 23 years old artist based in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. "I've been drawing since I was little. I found myself drawing on my school books and any scrap of paper that I could find. I can say I've been drawing since birth." He primarily renders his portraits with charcoal, occasionally incorporating other media like pen and sometimes pencil. "I've been disabled from birth, which positively and negatively influences my work. Negatively because I can't…

Feb

2023

By The African Mirror

Eco-friendly Nigerian artist turns plastic flip-flops into portraits

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

EUGENE Komboye, a Nigerian artist, is turning discarded plastic flip-flop sandals into colourful portraits in an effort to help clean up the environment in a country where plastic pollution is prevalent. What started as an assignment in a college in 2017, has become a full-time job for Komboye, whose studio in the city of Abeokuta in the southwest state of Ogun now trains aspiring artists who want to follow in his footsteps and create flip-flop portraits. According to government figures, Nigeria produces at least 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with some of it finding its way into the…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigerian artist uses AI to re-imagine life for the elderly

NEWS

ANGELA UKOMADU A Nigerian artist is using artificial intelligence to re-imagine life for African elderly people by showcasing near real-life pictures and videos of them walking down the fashion ramp and on the beach. Malik Afegbua, who is also a filmmaker, said because many elderly people were marginalised in society, especially in the fashion world, he began to imagine how they would look if they were models. Afegbua started posting some of his work on social media and it went viral. He came up with "Elders Series", a catalogue of pictures and videos showing white-haired women and bearded men strutting…

Jan

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigerian artist’s exhibition showcases food preservation methods

NEWS

IN his latest exhibition, Nigerian artist Olufela Omokeko is exploring the importance of food preservation in a country where food is often spoiled due to a lack of quick access to markets and cold storage. During a recent art exhibition in Iwaya, a slum in the commercial capital Lagos, guests also had the chance to taste Omokeko's puree from dried tomatoes, peppers and local spices as he showcased age-old traditions on how to extend the shelf life of perishable food. Nicknamed "son of a pepper seller," Omokeko grew up seeing women who sell perishables at their homes or at the…

Dec

2022

By The African Mirror

CKay makes musical history amid Afrobeat’s unstoppable global rise

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY THE popular musician came in at number 98 on Billboard’s best-selling artist in USA 2022 with his addictive Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah) hit single clocking in at number 17 on Billboard Global 200 songs and the Hot 100 chart at number 55. African music has had another stellar year in 2022, likely to continue through 2023, with Nigerian artist Burna Boy set for a history-making concert at London Stadium on June 3 - the first-ever African artist to headline a UK stadium, according to Rolling Stone. On April 2 this year, CKay's Love Nwantiti,…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Tribute to Yusuf Grillo: Nigerian art activist, scholar and bridge builder

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

NIGERIAN contemporary visual artist and scholar Yusuf Grillo died on 23 August 2021, aged 87 years. Art scholar Sule James explains Grillo’s influence and impact on art on the continent. SULE JAMES, Research Associate, University of Johannesburg Who was Yusuf Grillo? Yusuf Grillo was not only an artist but also an administrator, educator, and mentor to other artists. He was born in 1934 to the family of Yinus Ventura Grillo and Kalia Grillo in Lagos. His grandfather had returned from Brazil to his African homeland after the abolition of the slave trade. Grillo was identified in Yoruba culture as Omo…

Feb

2021

By The African Mirror

Nigerian artist creates rotting exhibit as coronavirus warning

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SEUN SANNI NIGERIAN artist Olufela Omokeko carefully arranges fresh peppers on wooden boards hanging in a bare room. Instead of providing spice in a meal, he wants them to encourage people to obey measures that will stop the spread of the coronavirus. His pieces, comprising of red, yellow and green peppers mounted on boards and tomatoes hanging from nets, will rot during the lifespan of the exhibition in Lagos. The decay reflects the food wasted during lockdowns last year, said the 30-year-old artist. "I created this art space as a reflection of the scarcity... and numerous challenges that we experienced…