BARRY NZENNAYA
Painter | Nigeria
The cubist, abstract figurative expressionist paintings are his way of telling stories and showing beauty. He has been fascinated by the use of shapes and how they interact in creating forms and are being used in the expression of his imaginative prowess.⠀
PORTRAIT
Barry Ikechukwu Nzennaya was born in Lagos in 1983. He graduated from federal polytechnic Oko in Anambra State where he studied Fine and Applied Arts as best painting student with distinction in 2010 and worked as an established studio artist in Lagos since 2011.
Contrary to many African painters, Nzennaya’s work carries little narrative but is a pure celebration of beauty of form, an escape of the daily human mess. Nzennaya is fascinated by the use of shapes and how they interact in creating forms and paints in a distinct cubistic style, sometimes purely abstract, but often with a recognizable figurative element and a lot of movement. His work has been influenced by his mentor, one of the most prolific Northern Nigerian painters Abdulsalam Abdulkareem famous for his horse paintings. Other main influences stem from Yusuf Grillo, Sam Ebohon, and the great European masters such as Pablo Picasso, George Braque, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh.
Nzennaya has received recognition in Nigeria early on being awarded best emerging artist by the notorious Lagos Schapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists in 2017 and his work has been picked up by the main Nigerian auction houses. He exhibited recently in the Netherlands and is scheduled to be presented at various international art fairs across Europe.
Barry Ikechukwu Nzennaya was born in Lagos in 1983. He graduated from federal polytechnic Oko in Anambra State where he studied Fine and Applied Arts as best painting student with distinction in 2010 and worked as an established studio artist in Lagos since 2011.
Contrary to many African painters, Nzennaya’s work carries little narrative but is a pure celebration of beauty of form, an escape of the daily human mess. Nzennaya is fascinated by the use of shapes and how they interact in creating forms and paints in a distinct cubistic style, sometimes purely abstract, but often with a recognizable figurative element and a lot of movement. His work has been influenced by his mentor, one of the most prolific Northern Nigerian painters Abdulsalam Abdulkareem famous for his horse paintings. Other main influences stem from Yusuf Grillo, Sam Ebohon, and the great European masters such as Pablo Picasso, George Braque, Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh.
Nzennaya has received recognition in Nigeria early on being awarded best emerging artist by the notorious Lagos Schapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists in 2017 and his work has been picked up by the main Nigerian auction houses. He exhibited recently in the Netherlands and is scheduled to be presented at various international art fairs across Europe.
WORKS
CREDENTIALS
Solo exhibitions
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Group exhibitions
2020
- Discovery Art Fair, international art fair, Frankfurt, Germany
- Africa Now, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam, The Netherlands
2019
- SOGAL Art auction
- Dream, Vivid Exclusive Art gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
- Inside Life, Vivid Exclusive Art Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2018
- Lagos Art auction (TKMG )
- Illumination II, Terra Kulture. Lagos Nigeria
- Society of Nigerian Artist (October Rain Exhibition)
2017
- SOGAL Art auction
- Society of Nigerian Artist (October Rain Exhibition)
- Union Bank centenary Art competition
2016
- SOGAL Art auction
Other professional activities
- Top ville group of school Ishawo Ikorodu Lagos State Nigeria 2013 – 2014
- Living stone College Ikorodu Lagos State Nigeria 2014 – 2017
- Goskia Group of school Ikorodu Lagos Nigeria 2016 – 2017
- Children summer Art class at Abdulsalam concept 2018
- Children summer Art class at Abdulsalam concept 2109
Collections
- Late Mr. Sammy Olagbaju (Private Collector) Lagos Nigeria
- Mr. & Mrs Egbuchunam (Private Collector) New York America
- Temple Muse Lagos Nigeria
Awards
2017
- Emerging Artist presented by Society of Nigerian Artist Lagos chapter Lagos state Nigeria
2020
- Discovery Art Fair, international art fair, Frankfurt, Germany
- Africa Now, OpenArtExchange, Schiedam, The Netherlands
2019
- SOGAL Art auction
- Dream, Vivid Exclusive Art gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
- Inside Life, Vivid Exclusive Art Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2018
- Lagos Art auction (TKMG )
- Illumination II, Terra Kulture. Lagos Nigeria
- Society of Nigerian Artist (October Rain Exhibition)
2017
- SOGAL Art auction
- Society of Nigerian Artist (October Rain Exhibition)
- Union Bank centenary Art competition
2016
- SOGAL Art auction
2017
- Emerging Artist presented by Society of Nigerian Artist Lagos chapter Lagos state Nigeria
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