SPECIAL PROJECTS
ABSOLUT VODKA
Absolut Vodka teamed up with Ken Nwadiogbu, in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation, to complete the other half of Warhol's iconic 1985 painting, 'Absolut Blue,' created for the Swedish brand.
In Ken's contribution, titled “The Absolute Crown,” the bottle is portrayed as "wearing" a crown at its base. The crown, depicted as the foundation on which the bottle stands, makes a bold statement about power, transforming the iconic bottle into a symbol of leadership and authority.
This collaboration was showcased alongside some original paintings at the Absolut x Warhol: The Other Half exhibition, held at Saatchi Gallery in London from October 4 to 6, 2024.
GANT
GANT partnered with Ken Nwadiogbu, in collaboration with Hypebeast, to reimagine the varsity jacket, transforming the quintessential symbol of American Sportswear into wearable works of art.
For the Blank Canvas project, Ken drew inspiration from his Nigerian heritage, merging elements of his cultural roots with a contemporary twist. His design aesthetic evokes African royalty, brought to life through bold and experimental color theory.
The collaboration debuted with a successful launch event at 180 Corner in London on September 18, 2023.
NETFLIX
Netflix partnered with Ken Nwadiogbu, in collaboration with Intermission Films, to create a striking painting for the premiere of the final season of ‘Top Boy,’ held at the Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, London from September 9 to 13, 2023.
For this exhibition, titled Portrait of a Top Boy, Ken was commissioned to paint Stefan, one of the show’s main characters, who has always navigated a paradoxical world. The painting captures the complexity of Stefan’s character and reflects the tension and duality he experiences.
This project commemorates the cultural impact that Top Boy has had on British television, in both its representation of life on the estates of east London, and its support and mentoring of emerging British talent.
THE MIGRANT
SCOPE Art Show collaborated with Nigerian artist Ken Nwadiogbu to personify the migrant experience through his thoughtful and engaging artwork.
Constructed using Aluminium and Steel, 457.2 cm high, The Migrant acts as a visual metaphor for the trauma of dislocation from one’s roots. This sculpture was on display in The New Contemporary Atrium during the Scope Miami Art Fair from November 29 to December 4, 2022.
The New Contemporary Atrium presents daily programming amongst large-scale installations that bend, blend, and transcend genre, and stands as a critical contribution to both global politics and local community engagement.
MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS
MacMillan Publishers collaborated with Ken Nwadiogbu to design the cover of Nick Brook’s murder mystery novel, ‘Promise Boys.’
The cover was unveiled on June 13, 2022, on ABC’s Good Morning America, featured on the iconic Jumbotron in Times Square.
Promise Boys presents strong truths about the way the education system abuse and treat young boys of color. It is a trailblazing, blockbuster YA mystery about three teen boys of colour who must investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names.
MARTELL
Martell collaborates with Ken Nwadiogbu to re-envision their iconic box in a bold, creative new project.
Ken created an animated film where the Martell box becomes a character. In “The Blue Experience,” the box, equipped with only legs and a pair of striking golden shoes, strolls through a factory. It steps up to a machine, gets loaded with Martell bottles, and then walks off, ready to embark on its journey to share the Martell experience across the globe.
“In the context of this collaboration, I see the Migrant carrying Martell bottles, traveling around the world, sharing its values, birthing collaborations, bringing friends and families together,” says Ken Nwadiogbu, reflecting on the deeper narrative that mirrors migration, connectivity, and global unity within the work.
NIFTY GATEWAY
Nifty Gateway collaborated with Ken Nwadiogbu to release “The Migrant NFT” collection, an extension of the artist’s innovative cross-reality project, Journey Mercies.
Launched in the metaverse in November 2021, Journey Mercies explores themes of migration, displacement, and identity through both digital and physical mediums. “The Migrant NFT” collection brings this narrative to the digital realm and offers collectors a unique opportunity to engage with Ken’s profound exploration of the migrant experience.
The project has already gained recognition through successful exhibitions in the US and Nigeria, bridging the gap between virtual and physical art spaces.
W1 CURATES
W1Curates presented Ken Nwadiogbu’s striking digital installation on the façade of Flannels, Oxford Street, London, from December 6 to 19, 2021. The installation brings Ken’s dynamic artistry to one of the busiest shopping streets in the world, turning the building into a massive canvas.
Ken, a self-taught artist and the pioneer of the "Contemporealism" movement, has gained recognition for creating thought-provoking works that explore identity, displacement, and socio-political issues.
This installation is a testament to his innovation and his impactful contribution to the Nigerian arts community, further showcasing his global influence.
FLIGHT LOGISTICS
Flight Logistics unveiled a collaboration with Ken Nwadiogbu for their Ship Art ‘Art on Wheels’ initiative. Vehicle No. 18 in this series is wrapped in Ken Nwadiogbu’s artwork from his powerful Journey Mercies series.
This vehicle, now a mobile canvas, will move around London for the next few years, picking up and delivering artworks from various artists to their destinations.
The Journey Mercies series explores themes of migration and displacement, and its presence on the vehicle adds a meaningful dimension to the concept of transporting art, symbolizing the movement of culture.
BURNA BOY
Burna Boy collaborated with Ken Nwadiogbu to design the album cover for his 2015 sophomore release, On a Spaceship.
In this artwork, Ken used his signature hyperrealistic technique to depict Burna Boy in a space suit, holding a helmet, standing in front of a spaceship. The piece was done with charcoal on large archival paper.
The concept behind the artwork was to elevate Burna Boy, positioning the future Grammy-winning African Giant in a realm of power and transcendence, symbolizing his rising influence and dominance in the music industry. This visually striking cover encapsulated the essence of Burna Boy’s journey to global stardom.