Benedict Olorunnisomo

Benedict Olorunnisomo


I was born in 1976 in Lagos Nigeria to a family of three boys,my Mom and my Dad.I am the third. I love the dimention of depth in life it gives a certain feel and high and it richly endows one with a sense of appreciation.I am high on life and it's depth i appreciate.I love the human figure and the human being,as the center of my discussion it is what i also use to articulate my art most of the time.I am inspired by any means and element of life you can imagine,from what can be felt to whatever can be seen or heard. I love to discuss universal issues pertaining to "Man" reflecting my personal experiences,beliefs and feelings.Sometimes i just paint for the love of beauty.

Education:
I studied fine Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife,Osun State,Nigeria. I have had exhibitions at Signatures Art Gallery,Pan African University at Aja,Terra Culture Victoria Island Lagos.

Chidi Okoye

Chidi Okoye


Nigerian born, Chidi A. Okoye graduated with a distinction in sculpture (Higher National Diploma) from the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1988. For the next six years he taught sculpture and drawing at Federal Polytechnic Oko Anambra State Nigeria. During this period, he created an outstanding collection, not only sculpting, but painting and writing as well. In Nigeria, He had his national solo exhibition “Textures of Life” and launching of his book “Lamentation” at national museum Lagos in 1993 sponsored by Mobil Producing Nigeria. Okoye is as famous for his poetry as for his painting and sculpture.

In 1994 Okoye moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he immediately became involved in a number of projects promoting international artistic exchange and was a leading light in the local Black creative community. Okoye believes that his art offers him a chance of relating to his environment, complementing the beauty of nature with man-made forms and images, which spring from his ancestral culture. He combines the strength, uniqueness and dynamism of his heritage with a technically skilled understanding of the power of forms, feeling and materials to create works, which continue to thrill audiences.

The wide appeal of his works seems to lie in its identifiably African approach to colors and lines, but with an ability to turn his distinctive style to a wide rage of subjects. Okoye’s paintings and sculpture have been praised for their capacity to raise awareness of important socio-political issues without resorting to militancy.

He participated in various creative competitions, like those to design posters for the Festival Sundiata in Seattle, which he won in 1995, 1996 and Sundiata best artist of the Year 1998. He designed a poster and logo, “Spirit of the Nation”, for the Canadian Heritage Art Society in Victoria BC in 1997. He designed and created an award statues for Black Historical Society in Vancouver BC in 1999, also in 1999 won first prize in the Co-op Radio Poster Competition in Vancouver BC.

In 2001 Okoye came to Atlanta where he has been actively involved in the creative art community. He won the first prize, South Fulton County Gallery Best Artist of the year 2002. He has participated in the jury art shows of National Black Art Festival Atlanta from 2002 to 2004. He recently executed Award commission for 2004 Clark Atlanta University ADVANCE Leadership Award. Chidi collaborated with Nelson Mandela in Unity Series in 2004.

Apart from being the artist of numerous sold-out limited editions Chidi’s works have won the admiration of local and international collectors. Among his long list of works in private and public collection are in Delta Airline Atlanta, Water Resources, Atlanta; Resurrection Life Center Montgomery Alabama; President office, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC; Villa Benzi, Caerano, Italy; Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria, Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu; Federal Polytechnic Oko, Nigeria; Mobil Producing Nigeria Head office Logos, Nigeria to mention a few.

Among His long list of solo and group exhibitions includes his most recent international group exhibition “ The Nelson Mandela Unity Series, World Economic Forum, January 26th 2005 in Davos, Switzerland.

“His paintings are noble, vivid, honest and poetic…” Diversity News, Seattle WA, USA.

“…A sculptor whose creative instincts are clearly channeled towards a reflection of both his contemporary and cultural heritage.” Daily Times, Nigeria.

ADEBANJI ALADE AROI

ADEBANJI ALADE AROI

Date of Birth: 28th February 1972
Place of Birth: Bethnal Green, London
Country of Origin: Nigeria

EDUCATION

2003 – 2005 Heatherleys School of Fine Art, Chelsea, London (Diploma in Portraiture)
1995 – 1997 Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria (Higher National Diploma in Fine Art)
1995 Student Apprentice with Abiodun Olaku, Painter, at the National Arts Theatre Lagos
1992 – 1994 Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria (National Diploma in General Art)
1989 – 1983 Federal Government College Enugu, Nigeria

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

• First Prize in the “Winsor and Newton under 35” category at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition, Mall Galleries - October 2007
• First Prize in the “Winsor and Newton Summer Scenes” competition organized by "The Artists" magazine
• Runner-up in the “Finding Fan Gogh” Competition organized by Barclays premiership,2007
• “Strokes of a Genius” Drawing Competition by North Light Books ( 2 drawings selected), 2006
• Daler Rowney Award, Patching’s Art Competition (the Artist category), 2006
• Website Highly Commended, Patching’s Art Competition (the Artist category), 2005
• Winner, John Walton Figurative Composition, 2005
• Most Outstanding Paintings, Heatherley Art Prize, 2005
• Wild card winner in London, “Brush with Fame” on ITV1, 2005
• The Society of All Artists “Young artist of the Year”(Runner Up in the amateur category), 2002
• St Cuthbert’s Mill Award, 2nd prize in the Leisure painter and The Artist-Paint an art shop competition, 2000
• Certificate of Commendation for Art and Design, NYSC, Ebonyi State , 1998
• Best Overall Academic Performance, Yaba College of Technology. 1996/97
• Best Student in the School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology 1996/97
• Best Student in Painting, Fine Art, Yaba College of Technology 1996/97
• Academy Press Plc, Award for Excellence in Visual Art Competition, 2nd prize, 1996
• Academy Press Plc, Award for Excellence in Visual Art Competition, 6th Position, 1995
• Best student in Life Drawing, General Art, Yaba College of Technology 1994/95
• Best student in General Art, Yaba College of Technology, 1994/95
• Best student in Fine Art, Federal Government College Enugu, 1989
• Best student in Senior Secondary II, Federal Government College Enugu, 1988