Paul Ayihawu

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Paul Ayihawu is a Lagos-based contemporary gospeller/artist whose practice centres on recognizing the importance of representing both physical and spiritual aspects of his subjects. His distinctive style features finger-stroked vibrant abstractions and weaving techniques. Rooted in personal experiences and spiritual convictions, Ayihawu's art aims to create a balanced narrative that speaks to the essence of humanity. He weaves his faith into his works, capturing the perfect image of one in all and all in one. Ayihawu has exhibited locally and internationally, inviting viewers into a dialogue with identity, history, and spirituality.


I am currently researching Nsibidi, an indigenous sign system, as both an archive and a living language. My process involves studying archival materials and the indigenous writing systems, translating selected words and scriptural fragments into Nsibidi, and developing a working index of signs. These translations are incorporated into my paintings as a form of “digital rain,” layered through screen printing and digital methods.
Now my practice is driven by research, translation, and experimentation with indigenous knowledge systems through abstraction and traditional weaving techniq...

Higher National Diploma, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu (Distinction)
National Diploma, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu 2018 (Distinction)

DUO EXHIBITION
2026 Ilè Àdúà: The Sacred Code, NOMADIC GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria

ART FAIR

2026 RMB Special Project: Nigeria Focus, RMB LATITUDE ART FAIR, Johannesburg, South Africa
2026 RMB Special Project: Nigeria Focus, RMB LATITUDE x YENWA GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria
2026 Plus234 Art Fair, SOTO GALLERY x ECOBANK NIGERIA, Lagos, Nigeria
2024 Miniature Art Fair, OGIRIKAN GALLERY × IWALEWA GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 What Lurks In The Shadow?, IICD PROJECT, Lagos, Nigeria
2025 Able-Graphy Vol 2, NOSAKHARI × GALLERIA OBJETS, London, UK
2025 One Africa, ENO GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria
2024 Afrofuturism 2089: From AFrica, With Love, ONBOARD GLOBAL, Foundation.app
2024 Another Self, YENWA GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria
2023 Kaleidoscope of Dreams, INSTITUTE MUSEUM OF GHANA, Accra, Ghana
2023 Form of Re.Placement, FORME FEMINE GALLERY, Artsy
2022 Portraits, GORDON GALLERY, Tel Aviv, Israel.
2022 The Mis-predilection of Aboya, WHITE SPACE ART GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria
2021 A Room With All Our Things, THE ART PANTHEON GALLERY, Lagos, Nigeria
2021 Arnheim Collection, ARNHEIM GALLERY,...