The artists below are some of many Nigerians who have built their status and reputation from always representing their Nigerian setting and culture in their various pieces of art; which cuts across photography and mixed media to sculptures and paintings.Â
Nike Davies :Â
She is popularly referred to as chief Nike Davies Okundaye. Sometimes called Nike Twins Seven Seven because of her previous marriage to another well respected Nigerian artist; Twins Seven-Seven. She grew up in an environment where traditional dyeing and weaving are largely practiced.
This explains why most of her works as an artist are rooted in Nigerian batik and Adire textile design. Her early life in Osogbo; which is the center for art and culture in Nigeria has contributed to her wide knowledge of indigo dyeing and Adire production. She has contributed enormously to ensure that traditional methods of weaving and dyeing are revived and preserved in Nigeria and for the past twenty years she has dedicated herself to workshops, home and abroad that is focused on traditional Nigerian textiles. She is the founder of the largest gallery in West Africa: the Nike art gallery.
Ade Adekola:Â
He is an architect turned conceptual artist. He is particular about media, photography, sculpture, and installation. He is popular for his enthralling images of Lagos which has been said to contribute immensely to correcting the different wrong narratives about the city.
..His images describe a fresh outlook of the visual and cultural aspects of the city of Lagos. Basically, he attempts to reconstruct history by contesting the already established misconceptions.Â
Bruce Onobrakpeya:Â
He is recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern Nigerian art. He is also one of Africa’s most celebrated artists of all time. He is a Nigerian painter, sculptor, and printmaker.
His early years at Benin City, Edo state can be said to have had a great influence on his artworks. His works have a solid background in traditional African sculpture and decorative arts. But also, they depict Nigerian folklore, legends, and myths using mysterious decorations.
Victor Ehikhamenor:Â
He is described as one of Africa’s most advanced and original contemporary artists. He was once mentioned on the list of 42 African Innovators to look out for. Victor Ehikhamenor was the first-ever Nigerian alongside three other artists to exhibit at the Venice Biennale. He is a Nigerian writer, visual artist, and photographer.
The African traditional religion is well described in his work in link with how they got mixed with foreign beliefs. Most of his artworks are inspired by his grandmother who is a cloth weaver, his uncle who is a photographer, his mother; a local artist and his maternal grandfather who is a blacksmith. Also, strongly; his artworks are influenced by arts and wall paintings in a traditional village or community shrines.
Peju Alatise:Â
She specializes in mixed media and also doubles as a poet. Her works have the theme of identity issues, the female perspective of themselves and the social perception of the female gender.
Her artworks are greatly influenced by the Nigerian and Yoruba culture.