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Nigerian painters

56 artists

Nigerian painting has been shaped by debates about tradition and modernity since its beginning. Aina Onabolu painted realistic portraits in colonial Lagos to prove Africans could master any style; Ben Enwonwu became the country's first internationally famous modernist. In 1958 the students of the Zaria Art Society, led by Uche Okeke, called for a "natural synthesis" of Nigerian traditions and modern art, and Bruce Onobrakpeya invented new printmaking techniques. In Osogbo, Twins Seven-Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh and Muraina Oyelami painted the spirit world of Yoruba stories.

Later painters include Uzo Egonu, who worked in London, Lemi Ghariokwu, whose covers for Fela Kuti's albums became icons, and today Njideka Akunyili Crosby, whose layered paintings join Nigeria and America. These are the country's painters, most looked-up first. See also Nigerian artists and the Zaria Art Society.

Profiles

Artist

Yinka Shonibare

Nigeria · 1962–

Yinka Shonibare dresses headless figures in Victorian costume of "African" Dutch wax print, a fabric with a European history, to question empire and identity.

Sculptor

El Anatsui

Ghana · Nigeria · 1944–

Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui turns thousands of flattened bottle caps into shimmering metal "cloths". His life, his materials and where to see the work.

Painter

Njideka Akunyili Crosby

Nigeria · 1983–

Nigerian-born painter Njideka Akunyili Crosby layers paint, collage and photo transfers into interiors that hold two homes at once. Her life and methods.

Painter and sculptor

Ben Enwonwu

Nigeria · 1917–1994

Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994) sculpted Queen Elizabeth II, made Anyanwu and painted Tutu, the "African Mona Lisa" that sold for £1.2 million in 2018.

Painter and musician

Twins Seven-Seven

Nigeria · 1944–2011

Twins Seven-Seven, sole survivor of seven sets of twins, became the most famous painter of the Oshogbo school, filling his works with Yoruba spirits.

Artist

Otobong Nkanga

Nigeria · 1974–

Otobong Nkanga, a Nigerian-born artist in Antwerp, makes tapestries, installations and performances about land, mining, trade and the body.

Printmaker and painter

Bruce Onobrakpeya

Nigeria · 1932–

Bruce Onobrakpeya, of the Zaria Art Society, invented printmaking techniques drawing on Urhobo culture and founded the Harmattan Workshop in Agbarha-Otor.

Painter and teacher

Uche Okeke

Nigeria · 1933–2016

Uche Okeke, leader of the Zaria Art Society, formulated "natural synthesis" and revived Igbo uli drawing as a modern art at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Painter

Aina Onabolu

Nigeria · 1882–1963

Aina Onabolu, often called the father of modern Nigerian art, painted oil portraits in colonial Lagos to prove Africans could master any style.

More artists

Most looked-up first. Names link to our profile, or to Wikipedia where we do not have one yet. Short descriptions from Wikidata; portraits from Wikimedia Commons. Image credits