ABOUT

BIOGRAPHY

Ken Nwadiogbu (b. 1994) is a Nigerian-born London-based multidisciplinary artist. A trained civil engineer, he soon pivoted to fine art, first embracing hyperrealism and charcoal drawing before expanding his creative horizon to more conceptual works and a wider array of techniques. He now holds a Masters degree in Painting from the Royal College of Art.

On Nwadiogbu’s large canvases, stories superimpose themselves in multiple layers. Mixing together hyperrealism with contemporary elements, he explores grave matters in his colorful conceptual work, inviting us to address altogether black representation and identity, displacement, and socio-political control. Defending an art that can be at once smart and fun, he creates ingenious, politically charged visual illusions that deploy a singular outlook, daring the audience to question their own, for “value lies in the perspective”.

Nwadiogbu is credited for introducing the “Contemporealism” movement. He was awarded the prestigious The Future Awards Africa in recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian arts community. Notably, his works have graced the prestigious Royal Academy of Art during the Summer Exhibition in London, Kristin Hjellegjerde gallery (‘Fragments of Reality’ solo exhibition) in London, and Retro Africa (‘A Different Perspective' solo exhibition) in Abuja. He has also captivated audiences at esteemed events such as Scope Miami, 1-54 London, Prizm Art Fair, and ART X Lagos. His artistic prowess extends beyond the canvas, as he has engaged in collaborations with esteemed brands including Netflix, GANT, Macmillan Publishers, and Martell. A core focus for him is to inspire and encourage young creatives. He does this through public speaking and mentorship, as well as through his creative collaborations.

Nwadiogbu enjoys expanding his perspective -and ours, rarely ever leaving anything to chance, but rather proceeding from a place of joy, and intentional care. He is constantly revitalizing his practice by challenging modes of Black representation.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Central to my artistic practice and vision is an unyielding emphasis on the self as a primary source of inspiration and expression. As a lifelong admirer of drawing, I discovered early on the power of wielding simple tools, like pen, pencil, and charcoal, to transmute abstract ideas into sketches on any surface with ease. This fascination with the poised line drove me to the field of civil engineering, where I honed my skills for meticulous drafting and precise re-imagining - a prerequisite for the stunning hyperrealism of my visual art.

Through my work, I reflect upon personal experiences as well as enact what appears as a social commentary on the experience of others.
Beyond the themes these experiences provide is their influence on my mediums. These influences primarily cater to my curious nature and initially began with photography and videography. The picture serves as the mold out of which my drawing is established; my knowledge of this drove me to get involved in the process of capturing what would eventually become the subjects of my work. This involvement soon progressed from capturing images to making and directing videos that have become useful to my work.

While hyperrealism is my entry point, it serves only as a framework for the depth and immediacy of the vision that my medium ultimately reveals. I aim to forge a meaningful dialogue with my audiences, drawing upon both personal experiences and an acute social consciousness to give voice to themes of identity, representation, migration and displacement, and socio-political crises. I deploy a stream-of-consciousness narrative style such that, amidst the broader image of the work I create, there is always a substantive portion that relays the true visage of the subject to the viewer. This portion is usually a recurring motif of the eye or an entire face embedded within a work. The viewer’s interaction with these works often edges them into their stream of consciousness, leading to the realization of an idea outside the precepts of my work but one that is familiar to the viewer.

My endless fascination with the human psyche and how we can interpret our varied experiences are at the core of my work as an artist. Through my art, I aspire to create a language of emotional universality, which resonates well beyond the realm of mere sight or representation, seeking instead to investigate the very essence of our shared human experience.