ART IS MADE IN NIGERIA
“Nigerians are known for their vibrant and friendly energy expressed through diverse creative expressions”.
Nigeria is the most populous black nation on Earth. It is home to the second largest film industry on the globe whilst also being the fashion, technological and creative hub in Africa. Explore the flavors of Nigeria, from its rich heritage to spectacular nature, captivating destinations, and welcoming spirit. Nigerians are known for their vibrant and friendly energy expressed through diverse creative expressions.
Nigerians are known for their amazing talents in art and culture. Nigeria has the most talented and amazing artists in Africa and is also well recognized globally. Nigeria has produced some great artists whose works are well known all over the globe. These artists have inspired so many young artists in Africa and the world as a whole. We have seen artists like Benedict Chikadibia Enwonwu, Tola Wewe, Uche Okeke, and others have their works showcased in museums all over the world.
The likes of Benedict Chikadibia Enwonwu who is the first professor in Nigeria at the University of Ife now called the Obafemi Awolowo University. He is also called the father of modern art. Ben Enwonwu is known for her famous work called “TuTu” which was referred to as the “African Mona Lisa” by Da Vinci.
Due to the civil war between Nigeria and Biafra, Ben Enwonwu lost her painting which was later found in a conventional home in London. The painting attracted the attention of some powerful men like Francis 1 of France and the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte hanging on his bedroom wall for years. Tutu is actually the picture of an Ile Ife princess Adetutu.
Another renowned artist whose works are known all over the world is Bruce Onobrakpeya. Bruce’s works have been showcased at the Tate Modern Gallery in London, the National Museum of African Arts, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C, and Malmo Konsthall in Sweden. Bruce is considered the forerunner of modern art in Nigeria and headed the Nigerian Artistic Movement grounded in African aesthetic traditions.
Bruce is known to have contributed significantly to the renaissance in contemporary art in Nigeria, covering a broad range of subjects with his themes.
Another renowned Nigerian artist is Abayomi Barber. A contemporary artist who is the mentor of the Abayomi Barber Art school in Lagos state. Abayomi Barber is a painter, sculptor, and graphic designer, who is popularly known for his captivating landscapes in Nigerian art. His works have appeared in most public and private homes in both Nigeria and abroad. His works include the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in London, the Life bust statue of Late General Muritala Muhammed, Oduduwa a painting on canvas treated with sands, and many more.
If you’re reading this by now you should understand why Nigerian artists are so talented and always coming up with amazing arts, that’s because these talents are inherited from our forefathers. This might sound crazy but look at it from this angle, every Nigerian you see today has some creativity in him/her.
Let’s take a look at some Nigerian artists in the NFT and web3 space. Nigerians are among the successful people in the NFT space and the most successful African nation is in the NFT and Web3 space. Despite the fact that over half of the Nigerian artists do not know about the NFT and web3 space yet. But today we will discuss some Nigerian artists in the NFT and web3 space. Here we will discover great talents and beautiful artworks of these amazing young Nigerians in the NFT space.
Here are some amazing works from amazing Nigerian artists in the NFT space.
1. Ajadudraws (AJ)
God’sTime Ileanaju Ajadu popularly known as AJ(Ajadudraws), is a Nigerian visual artist, who specialised in drawing portraits. AJ(Ajadudraws) is a Nigerian hyper-realistic charcoal pencil artist whose art speaks for those that cannot speak for themselves, and also promotes culture and combat issues arising and challenging a given society.
AJ is also an NFT artist, he brings good vibes and positive energy wherever he goes that including the Twitter Space. He is very talented and some of his works are on opensea.io. AJ also shares videos of him drawing this amazing art and he also accepts custom drawings from his collectors and gives his collectors the original physical piece.
For more details visit his website ajadudraws.com
Twitter handle: @Ajadudraws
Some of AJ(Ajadudraws) work on Opensea.io:
- Collateral Damage
The artist used this piece to describe the misuse of power by the elite or government and taking advantage of youths turning them into monsters that harm society. This collection describes the bad governance of the Nigerian governments and their misuse of political power. Collateral Damage is listed on the Ethereum network on Opensea.io: Collateral Damage(ajadu_draws)
- Women and Gele
Here the artist used women and Gele to describe how beautiful a Nigerian woman will look when dressed in her native cultural attire and covering her hair with the native Gele. Women and Gele are on the Ethereum network on opensea.io Women and Gele (ajadu_draws).
- Muhammed Ali
Who does not know the great Muhammed Ali? Here the artist used this piece to describe the legend, of Muhammed Ali. A true legend and a boxer who is pleasing to watch all the time. Muhammed Ali is on OpenSea AJ (@ajadudraws)
2. Michael Mafeng
Michael Mafeng is a Nigerian digital artist and Mobile Photographer, from Plateau State in Nigeria. He works as a freelancer in the area of computer and information technology in addition to making NFTs. Michael got inspiration from Albert Einstein’s quote, “Looking deeply into nature will help you understand everything better”.
His works also represent Nigeria’s historical experience, goals, and means of survival, the embodiment of values, culture, and behavioral patterns. He ventured into the NFT space and his art describes the beauty of nature and God’s creations. His works are also listed on opensea.io. For more details follow his Twitter handle: @michaelmafeng
Instagram account: @alphasugoi.
Some of Michael Mafeng’s works on opensea.io:
- Ajala the traveler
Michael uses this image to describe the phrase “Ajala the traveler” which is a familiar Nigerian travel lingua that has its origin linked to the legendary globetrotter Mashood Olabisi Ajala who is said to have traveled across 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa on a Vespa scooter while dressed in full visible agbada regalia and a matching cap. Here is Michael’s Ajala in a canoe. Ajala the traveler is listed on the polygon network on opensea.io. Ajala the traveler(Michael Mafeng).
- Ngo
The word Ngo is a Berom word that stands for mother. The Berom people are located in the central part of Nigeria and are known as the largest autochthonous ethnic group in Jos, Nigeria. The speakers are primarily found in the central Jos region of Plateau State, Nigeria, and the low plains of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Here Ngo is depicted as having her infant on her back. Ngo is also listed on the polygon network on opensea.io. Ngo(Michael_Mafeng).
- Fu-Fu
This piece of artwork depicts two figures striking Fu-Fu in a mortar. They pound and flip the fufu with the pestles in a rhythmic hammering motion that is customary for making the dough-like West African delicacy, mostly in Nigeria. Fu-Fu is also listened to on the polygon network and on opensea.io. Fu-Fu(Michael_Mafeng).
3. Ibiyemi Olamilakan Okanlawo (O-Art)
Ibiyemi Olamilekan Okanlawo is 26 years old and a self-taught Nigerian artist. Olamilekan is an entrepreneur and engineering student of the university of Ibadan, from Kwara state but presently lives in the capital city of Oyo state. Olamilekan started drawing at a very young age, as he figured out he has a special creative ability. Olamilekan started drawing when he was 8 years old and he became a professional artist at the age of 23 years.
Olamilekan started making art with both charcoal pencil and graphite pencil at the initial stage but over the years Olamilekan grew to use other media such as pen, colored pencils, chalk pastels, oil paints, and acrylic paints. The artist uses his artwork to describe the love of mothers, emotional stability, culture, and the current situation in society. Olamilekan is also committed to creating awareness on mental awareness which he also described in most of his work. His works are listed on Opensea.io. For more details follow him on Twitter @O_art.
Some of Olamilekan’s works on Opensea.io:
- Hope
Olamilekan uses this art piece to advise humanity to be hopeful for better days to come. He also encourages humans not to give up in whatever situations they find themselves, Hope is listed on the Ethereum network on Opensea.io Hope(O_Art)
- Serenity I
This is a 25 by 30 inches drawing made with a ballpoint pen on a piece of paper. Serenity I describe how keeping the mind calm brings mental healing to humanity, especially to those that are depressed. If you are depressed and your mental health is not balanced, collecting this piece of art will heal your depression. Serenity I is also on the Ethereum blockchain and listed on OpenSea.io. Serenity I(O_Art)
- Entrapped
This awesome art piece was made with salt and on paper which the artist used to describe how life puts humans in situations they don’t deserve for a long time. The artist is encouraging humans to cheer up whenever they find themselves in an unfavorable condition, things will be okay. Entrapped is listed on the Ethereum network on opensea.io. Entrapped(O_Art)
4. Mimi Nation
Miracle, who is known as Mimi, is a Nigerian visual artist. She started drawing at the age of 7 years but her family condemned her from drawing because they believe that artists don’t make money from making art. Since then she hides whenever she’s drawing or painting. She never stopped pursuing her talent despite her family being against that.
Mimi started drawing professionally in 2016 when she regained her family’s support after they found out what she could do with her talent and how people love her artwork. They have no choice but to give their daughter the support she needs. As an NFT artist Mimi’s works are listed on Opensea.io. For more details about Mimi follow her Twitter handle @Mimi_Nation22.
Some of Mimi’s work on Opensea.io:
- Lady in white
Here the artist uses the image to describe the therapeutic effect of music on the mind, how music takes our worries away and makes us happy. Music can be used to cure human emotions and also heal depressed souls. Lady in white is listed on the Ethereum network on opensea.io. Lady in white(Mimi_Nation).
- The 4 rivers
The artist used this image to talk about how peaceful rivers are despite coming together from four different rivers, they still maintained peace and calmness without causing any trouble. Imagine humans from different tribes, if we can come together like the rivers in this image did, the world will be a better place. The 4 rivers are listed on the Ethereum network on opensea.io. The 4 rivers(Mimi_Nation)
- Esin Meta
Esin Meta is a Yoruba word that means three horses, the artist got inspiration from a bible story in the book of Revelations chapter 6. The artist, being a lover of bible stories, fell in love with the story in the book of Revelation chapter 6, which inspired her to paint this lovely piece of art. Esin meta is listed on the Ethereum network on opensea.io. Esin Meta(Mimi_Nation).
5. Michael Shima (Versh)
Michael Shima is a 26 years old, self-taught Nigerian photographer. Michael studied civil engineering and holds a bachelor’s degree from the university of agriculture, Makurdi, Benue state.
Micheal who is popularly known on Twitter as Versh is a Nigerian photographer, who started his photography journey five years ago presently living in the capital city of Oyo state, Nigeria, and discovered his special ability to capture the unique form of nature. Michael travels to different parts of Nigeria to capture nature with his camera. Some of his works are on opensea.io and objkt.com.
For more details about Michael and his art visit his website vershart.com.ng.
Follow him on Twitter @MichaelVerr.
Some of Michael Shima’s works on opensea.io and objkt.com:
- Burnt Fingers
The burnt finger is a photograph captured by the artist during his time in the NYSC camp in Yobe state, Nigeria. Here the artist is describing how stars call out to humans on earth and how humans find peace in times of trouble. Burnt fingers are listed on tezos on objkt.com. Burnt Fingers(Versh).
- Friends
This image reminds the artist of a very good friend of his that gave him the best life experience he ever had. As they said experience is the best teacher, remembering a friend with this amazing photograph proves that the experience he had with the friend was a good one. Friends are listed on the polygon network on opensea.io. Friends(Versh).
- The treasure of the base-line
Michael took this photograph in 2019, during his final defense at the university. According to the artist, he saw rain dropping on this particular plant immediately which captured his attention that made him take a shot of the leaf. The treasure of the baseline is listed on the polygon network and on opensea.io. The treasure of the baseline(Versh).
6. Cassandra Okwaniuzor Mark(Wani)
Cassandra Okwaniuzor Mark popularly known as Wani is a Nigerian illustrator and 2D animator. The 22 years old Nigerian is also a comic book artist and an award-winning African writer. Wani is inspired by her love for African mythology, renaissance art, and Japanese cultural television.
Wani is of mixed African descent and dedicated to reviving African culture in art. She holds two Nommo Award nominations and an award for the Best Children’s book at the Lagos comic con. She is known for her comic book “Tatashe” meaning “Red bell pepper”. Her work is listed on opensea.io and on objkt.com. For more details on Wani visit her portfolio the-art-of-wani.
Twitter handle @casslives.
Some of Wani’s works on opensea.io and objkt.com:
- Akachukwu, the god of frames
Akachukwu, the god of frames is from the collection “Children of the Alusi”, which is a comic story on objkt.com. Here the artist is telling a comic story of the ancient gods called Alusi the god of frames who was known for his destructive power that was granted by his predecessor Anyanwu, the Igbo god of the sun. Akachukwu, the god of frames is listed on the tezos network on objkt.com Akachukwu, the god of frames(The Art of Wani).
- Mercury
Wani describes this image as the winged messenger of the gods. The artist named this piece Mercurius, the closest planet to the sun and also the guardian of the star. This piece is part of the Star-light guardian’s collection and it’s also on the tezos network on objkt.com Mercury(The Art of Wani).
- Peach Fuzz
In this piece of art, Wani describes how she felt weird about some part of her body because of what they told her while growing up, “that a woman must always be clean for a man”, keeping pubic hair makes a woman dirty and unclean for man. While the artist said that body hair is natural and beautiful, women should not be judged for it. A woman can keep her pubic hair and still be clean. Peach Fuzz is listed on the Ethereum network on opensea.io Peach Fuzz(The Art of Wani).
If you are always asking, why are the Nigerian artists so good and talented, always coming up with amazing artworks, after reading this article today you should know the answer to your question is because “Art is made in Nigeria”.
