FIJNE KUNST

Dr Ogunwo Bolaji dedication to becoming a professionally trained master of art is evident in his relentless pursuit of skill acquisition. He obtained a BSc in painting from the university of Benin in 2000, home of the masters of the infamous Benin Bronzes. He subsequently obtained an MSc and PhD in painting in 2020. Collecting Dr Bolaji's paintings are akin to collecting one of the contemporary master's of Fine Art in Nigeria

Donald Onuoha graduated with a distinction honors in Fine Art from the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu, Nigeria in 1999. Enugu is the educational fountain of arts in Nigeria, producing literary accolades like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Donald has participated in multiple international exhibits and his works are well recognized among seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts for his remarkable cubist style.

The ruby has represented nobility, purity, and passion for centuries. Rubies blooming is a representation of pure sophistication and passion for life. She is a woman who stays true to herself and brings her best self into everything she does with her own unique essence of beauty.

Riché’s work is very finely executed and richly colored. He currently lives in Christ-Roi in Port-au-Prince with his wife, a hairdresser, and their five children. Riché generally paints several canvases at a time, working on small areas before moving on another, allowing him to complete several works at a time. Riché’s paintings are widely exhibited in major Haitian galleries and were part of an exhibition in France in 1996. Many galleries in Europe, Latin America, the United States and Japan have a permanent exhibit of his works. He is appreciated by art collectors around the world who instantly fall in love with his funny, but seriously big people.’

A modern original portrait, a "Black Queen" expresses a quiet nobility even as she remains partially unclothed. Inspired by paintings of slavery and the early African diaspora in the colonial Americas, this acrylic painting by Afro-Caribbean artist JaeMe Bereal speaks to life's unspoken trials and resilience. Her regal aura also belies a vulnerability. She keeps a straight back, an enforced tallness. Her skin a  kaleidoscope of swirling blues, purples, greens and reds. She is Queen of Queens. Acrylic on canvas, this is one of JaeMe's seminal portraits that she has only recently been ready to part with, ready to find it a special home.

Sumptuous expressionist painting of Afro Caribbean life and culture in the 17th century, the "Les Bananes"  spotlights an arresting figure of a woman, distilling a moment in time of the Black diapsora while flaunting the vibrancy and liveliness of the lush Tropics. Painted with acrylic on canvas artist JaeMe Bereal adds great detail and flourish to all her elements, using bold brush strokes to create an evocative scene.

Born of an American mother and a Haitian father, Chenet grew up in a mix of cultures that allowed him to exploit his aesthetic curiosity and explore his Haitian roots, while retaining the technical influence of the American masters. The artist studied art at the Centre d’Art in Port-au-Prince and received his BFA at the School of Visual arts, New York. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean, is housed in important museum collections, and is featured in numerous books on Haiti’s art.

What makes Samson's work remarkable is from afar one would never presupose such complex works of art could be made from the eschewed material. In this series of upcycled portraits, Samson uses metal, upcycled caps, treated broken glass and wires to craft stunning portraits. Reflecting on his pieces, he aptly names his collection Values, creating beauty and acceptance from abandon.  Describing his work as experimental, Samson is making his mark as one of the African artists who actively promotes sustainability.

Roland Idubor is as a Christian artist who learned to sculpt under the tutelage of his Father, Felix Idubor - a renowned sculpture from Benin City, Nigeria.  Roland’s medium of art expression is “Metal Filler” a plastic like material. This sculpting piece is a combination of metal and metal filler. You don't need to search farther than your TV to learn how African women cherish their hair as their glory. This care of hair is as biblical as it is traditional and African women have seen hair as an additional accessory to make an artistic statement without saying a word. This sculpture captures the ancient art of hair weaving by an elder meticulously braiding the hair of the younger; the younger patiently submits, knowing she would soon be wearing a crowing glory.

Segun Phillips innovatively created the term "woodism" in the late 2000s to describe his unique style of  creating a wooden textured effect. We've chosen to curate this piece because its authentic style showcases the creative talent that exists in the African continent. Segun began his art journey in 2010 and has since won national competitions and is an emerging artist gaining recognition globally.

Rotimi Akinnire is an internationally recognized nature artist, garnering wide acclaim locally his home country, Nigeria, as well as abroad. He was born in 1971 and currently resides and works in Lagos. Rotimi's emphasis on the earth's natural beauty is a firm nod to sustainability and the need to prevent further climate change.