Paul Ayihawu

Nigerian-based contemporary african artist Paul Ayihawu uses charcoal and Acrylic to tell the story of african in a new light. His work focus more on the social-cultural issues and the impact of colonialism on african cultures and values. He expressed this often with a flipped portraitures of black people dress in a hybrid of western and african dresses.
He is fervent about telling the untold, unheard and silent stories of the black community. His works are in private collections in USA, South Africa and Nigeria.

Artist Statement
Art is a form of expression of innermost feelings and my approach is to experiment with human forms and investigate the psychology of being, by capturing the emotional state of my subject at a particular moment and by asking: ‘how do we feel a sense of belonging in an environment that constantly tells us we are not enough?’
I find meaning in the mundane activities and exuberance scene in the neighbourhood as these bring to life the nostalgia feelings and memories.
My works highlights the socio-cultural issues and the impact of colonialism on the african cultures and values.
I work with charcoal and Acrylic to tell the story of african in a new light. I particularly love rendering the flesh ton...

Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu
2018 (3.71/4.0 CGPA)

2021
● "Fresh Voices", The Adeline Gallery, Lagos.
● "A Gathering", Ikollo Gallery, Lagos
● "Silent Scream", A Virtual Exhibition by Art in Medicine, Lagos.

2020
● "Lagos Fringe 2020", Lagos Fringe Art Exhibition, Lagos
Freedom Park Hall, Lagos.
● "Reflect, Repair and Recover" Kuta Art Foundation, Abeokuta.
● "Joburg Fringe 2020" Joburg Fringe Art Exhibition, The Artroom
Gallery, Johannesburg.
● "Vivid 2020" Vivid International Virtual Exhibition, Vivid Exclusive
Art Gallery, Lagos.
● "Mask Art – Creativity Under Lockdown" MEADOWS Virtual
Exhibition in conjunction with UNESCO, Beirut.
● "2nd International Online Art Exhibition" Nirantar Art Group,
Chandigarh, India.
● "Art in Quarantine" Wreading Digit Virtual Exhibition, USA.