Ken Nwadiogbu (b. 1994, Lagos, Nigeria) is a multidisciplinary artist. Nwadiogbu obtained a master’s degree in painting from the Royal College of Art, London. A trained civil engineer, he soon pivoted to fine art, first embracing hyperrealism and charcoal drawing before expanding his creative horizon to more conceptual works and a wider array of techniques. On Nwadiogbu’s large canvases, stories superimpose themselves in multiple layers. Mixing together hyperrealism with contemporary elements, he explores grave matters in his colourful conceptual work, inviting us to address altogether black representation and identity, displacement, and socio-political control. Defending an art that can be at once smart and fun, he creates ingenious, politically charged visual illusions that deploy a singular outlook, daring the audience to question their own, for “value lies in the perspective”.
Solo Exhibitions include (Upcoming) Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2024); Art Singapore, Retro Africa, Singapore (2024); Fragments of Reality, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2023); A Different Perspective, Retro Africa Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria (2022); Journey Mercies, Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London, UK (2021); UBUNTU, Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles, USA (2021); CONTEMPOREALISM, BrickLane Gallery, London, UK (2019).
Group Exhibitions include NEW NOW: Part 2, Guts Gallery, London, UK (2024); Portrait of a Top Boy, presented by Netflix, Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, London, UK (2023); RA Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London, UK (2023); Lucid Borders, Art Exchange, University of Essex, London, UK (2023); We are Enough, 193 Gallery, Paris, France (2023); The Migrant, Scope Miami Beach, curated by Roger Niyigena Karera, Miami Beach, USA (2022); Across the Pond, Espacio Gallery, London, UK (2022); Unity, Volery Gallery, Dubai, UAE (2022); Freedom Protesters, Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles, USA (2022); Real Life Is Fragile, Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles, USA (2021); Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Collection, Conventry Cathedral, Conventry, UK (2021); POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaii To The World, Bishop Museum, Hawaii, USA (2021);1-54 African Art Fair, New York, presented by Retro Africa Gallery, USA (2021); Prizm International Art Fair, Miami, presented by Retro African Gallery, USA (2020); The Cookout: Kinfolk and Other Intimacies, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art (MoCADA), New York, USA (2020); 1-54 African Art Fair, New York, presented by Retro African Gallery, USA (2020); Art of Diversity, Yinka Shonibare CBE (RA) studio, London, UK (2020); Monikr International Art Fair, London, presented by Premier Art Solution (2019); ArtX Lagos, presented by Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2019); LAX-LHR, Chelsea Sorting Office, London, presented by Thinkspace Project (2019); LAX-MSY RedTruck Gallery, Louisiana, presented by Thinkspace Project (2019); LAX-SFO, Heron Arts California, presented by Thinkspace Project (2019); In The Making, Retro African Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria (2019); ArtX Lagos, presented by Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2018); Afriuture Exhibition, Ramati Art Africa & the Commonwealth Africa Summit (2018); Ontario Investment and Trade centre, Toronoto, Canada (2018); Anti-Trump Art Show, Creative Debuts, London, UK (2018); Moniker International Art Fair, NYC, presented by Creative Debuts, London, UK (2018); Generation Y, Retro African Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria (2018); Empowerment, Creative Debuts, London, UK (2018); Artyrama Art Exhibition, Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2017); Finidng Your Identity, British Council, Abuja, Nigeria (2017); It’s Not Furniture, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2017); Insanity, Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria (2016).
Highlights and collections
Nwadiogbu has been awarded the prestigious The Future Awards Africa in recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian arts community. In 2023, Nwadiogbu was selected by artist-curator Ronan McKenzie on behalf of Netflix to create a painting inspired by the hit TV series Top Boy. He has collaborated with many esteemed brands including Macmillan Publishers, Martell, and OPPO. A core focus for him is to inspire and encourage young creatives. He does this through public speaking and mentorship, as well as through his creative collaborations.