Gabriel Jideonwor

Gabriel Jideonwor (1991), studied painting and graduated at Lagos State Polytechnic (Laspotech) in Art and Industrial Design in 2015. As a youg artist Jideonwor experimented in the past years with various styles moving from realism and impressionism to a more expressionistic painting style with a surrealistic twist. His colourful, expressive portraits and urban sceneries reflect on human interaction and emotions in modern African societies, seamlessly mixing African culture and symbolism in a universal contemporary setting. Over the past four years, Jideonwor has been exhibiting in various exhibitions and art festivals in Nigeria, South-Africa, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium. In addition, he runs a successful practice and gallery with a group of young local artists in Lekki/Lagos.

Being torn between the hardship of modern urban African society with its issues of violence, corruption, inequalities and injustice and being the proud descendant of a rich African heritage in terms of traditions, culture and nature, he creates his own vision on black empowerment: Black is Gold. He radiates the self-awareness and self-confidence of a new generation of African artists that appreciate and seamlessly integrate African traditions and values into a contemporary form, whilst simultaneously recognizing the imperfections and need to change. Recognizing the struggle for embracing and fighting for universal human values, emotions and dignity in order to become better people in better societies.