Nigeria has a rich and diverse art scene, with a wide range of talented visual artists working in various mediums and styles. From traditional painting and sculpture to more contemporary digital and mixed media, our artists are making a significant impact locally and internationally. In this article, we will highlight some of the top Nigerian visual artists you need to know.
Jelili Atiku
Jelili Atiku is a multidisciplinary artist who works primarily in sculpture and performance art. He is known for his powerful and thought-provoking works that explore themes of identity, history, and politics. His sculptures are often made from found objects and repurposed materials and frequently incorporate elements of traditional Nigerian art forms. His performances are similarly powerful, often involving his own body as a medium for exploring themes of power, oppression, and resistance.
Victor Ehikhamenor
Victor Ehikhamenor is a painter, sculptor, and photographer whose work is heavily influenced by traditional Nigerian art and culture. His paintings often incorporate elements of the traditional art forms of the Edo people, his ethnic group and explore themes of identity, history, and memory. His sculptures are similarly influenced by traditional Nigerian art forms. Ehikhamenor’s photographs are also noteworthy, often depicting everyday life in Nigeria in an intimate and powerful way.
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a painter whose work explores themes of identity, history, and memory. She often paints from photographs and other found imagery, and her paintings frequently incorporate elements of traditional Nigerian art forms. Akunyili Crosby’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across Nigeria, the United States, and Europe.
Yinka Shonibare
Yinka Shonibare is a mixed-media artist whose work explores themes of identity, culture, and history. He is known for using brightly-coloured fabric in his sculptures and installations, which often incorporate elements of traditional Nigerian art forms. His work often deals with issues of colonialism and post-colonialism.
Peju Alatise
Peju Alatise is a painter and sculptor whose work often deals with issues of gender, identity, and social justice. Her paintings are often large-scale and highly detailed, depicting scenes of everyday life in Nigeria. Her sculptures are similarly powerful, often incorporating elements of traditional Nigerian art forms and exploring issues of gender and power.
These are just a few of the many talented Nigerian visual artists working today. Each of them brings a unique perspective and style to their work, significantly impacting the global art scene.
