Nwadiogbu, Ken (Bridgeman Studio)
Creator details
- Name
- Nwadiogbu, Ken
- Nationality
- Nigerian
- Biography
- Ken Nwadiogbu (b. 1994, Lagos, Nigeria) creates innovative conceptual drawings on various surfaces, as he challenges and investigates Black socio-political structures and issues, while engaging in multidisciplinary modes of storytelling. Gender equality, African cultures, and Black power are a few aspects of his current research and artistic practice. Nwadiogbu earned a B.Sc. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. His interest in art, as well as his career began while he earned his degree despite no formal training. Inspired by issues relating to those around him, he began creating works that reflect the everyday struggles of people like him, with the hopes of making a change in his community. Popularly known as KenArt, Nwadiogbu is credited for beginning the ‘Contemporealism’ movement, a fusion that is primarily centred around Hyper-Realism and Contemporary art. He recently held his debut solo show Contemporealism (2019), in Brick Lane Gallery, London. He has also participated in local and international group exhibitions and fairs around the world, including Insanity (2016, Lagos); Finding your Identity (2017, Abuja); Artyrama Art Exhibition (2017, Lagos); Generation Y (2018, Abuja); Afriuture (2018, Canada); Art X (2018 & 2019, Lagos); Moniker Art Fair (2018, Brooklyn & 2019, London); Empowerment Exhibition (2018, London); Anti-Trump Art Show (2019, London); Thinkspace’s LAX-SFO (2019, California); In the Making (2019, Abuja); Thinkspace’s LAX-MSY (2019, Lousiana); Thinkspace’s LAX LHR (2019, London); Miami Art Week (2019, Miami) and so on. A core focus for Nwadiogbu is to inspire and encourage young creatives. He does this through public speaking and mentorship, as well as through his creative companies; Artland Contemporary Limited and KINGS Management. He is also the co-founder of Artists Connect NG, the largest artist gathering in Nigeria, created to foster creativity, collaboration and community. Ken Nwadiogbu is constantly revitalising his practice by challenging modes of Black representation. His oeuvres encompasses various forms of drawing using charcoal, collage, acrylic, and most recently photography. For him, art is a safe haven, devoid of restrictions, boxes and boundaries.
