10 Nigerian Artists you should know

Theculturetrip

Nigeria is filled with over 250 ethnic groups, with art being a medium of expression of the various cultures and traditions of these ethnic groups. Here's a list of Nigerian Artists  expressing Nigerian cultures through art.

1. Nike Davies-Okundaye

Chief Nike, as she popularly goes by is the founder of Nike’s Gallery, the largest in West Africa. She is an artist and textile designer known for her batik weaving and dyeing workshops. The everyday Nigerian life, in vivid, unforgettable colors are the major features in her work.

 Aabru Art

2. Ade Adekola

Ade, a photographer and artist based in Lagos documents the city. His work combines elements of sculpture and photography addressing themes of repetition by challenging perceptions through the reconstruction of history.

3. Victor Ehikhamenor

Victor Ehikhamenor is one of the most popular artists from Nigeria, who is influenced by traditional African themes and religious evolution. He is a writer and has been the recipient of multiple residencies and awards. His exhibitions have been held across Africa, Asia, Europe and America.

4. Kadara Enyeasi

A photographer, sculptor and an architect by training based in Lagos, Kadara Enyeasi focuses on fine art, portraiture and photojournalism to explore psychology and human sexuality through the comparisons of Africa versus the West. His works are exhibited across Nigeria and New York.

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5. Olumide Oresegun

This painter, Olumide Oresegun, came into global attention via social media with his hyper-realistic oil paintings after years of painting. Olumide Oresegun is a graduate of fine arts and has been exhibited locally, extensively.

6. Tola Wewe

Tola Wewe is a frequent collaborator with Nike Davies-Okundaye. The Ondo state indigene was a founding member of the Ona movement in art drawn from Yoruba culture, especially the water spirits.

Whitespace Creative Agency

7. Bruce Onobrakpeya

One of Africa’s most recognized artists, Bruce Onobrakpeya can be considered one of the founding figures of modern Nigerian art. The artist has been exhibited at the Tate Modern, Smithsonian, around Europe and Africa.

8. Rom Isichei

Rom Isichei, a painter is one of Nigeria’s best selling artists due to the peculiarity of his style of portraiture with the faces segmented. His vivid brushstrokes are instantly recognizable as well as his choice of colors.

9. Peju Alatise

Architecture degree holder, Peju Alatise is an artist and a poet. She specializes in mixed media. Her subjects often cover issues like identity and female perceptions, reflections within themselves and society. Her works are exhibited in Nigeria and abroad, as part of a residency at the Smithsonian in the US.

10. Sam Ebohon

Sam Ebohon is one of the most recognizable visual contemporary artists working in Nigeria. His vivid colors and composition style make him one of the treasures of Nigerian art. He has also been exhibited at home and away.