One of Nigeria’s most noted contemporary artists, Mr. Emmanuel Ekefrey is part of the popular Lagos exhibition circuit, he is also part of the global art world, especially in England and France. His busy and colorful paintings are his unique trademark. What is particularly fascinating about Ekefrey's work is his ability to combine a strong graphic style with a great deal of imagination.
África Hoy. Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno, Exhibition catalogue, bilingual text Spanish & English, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, 1991; Catalogue details at: https://www.caacart.com/exposition/africa-hoy-africa-now-traveling-exhibition/
Several of Ekefrey's paintings were featured as book covers for Nobel Prize African novelist, Abdulrazak Gurnah books, 2021
A King's Passion: A 21st Century Patron of African Art, Editor, Sandra Mbanefo Obiage. His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe CFR book, 2024; refers to a book title that highlights the story of a contemporary African monarch who is a dedicated collector and supporter of African art, showcasing their passion for promoting and preserving the continent's artistic heritage through their extensive collection.
The monumental and thematically complex painting below features three central figures, surrounded by a few larger ancestral faces watching over them. In the background, hundreds of miniature ancestral faces emerge and recede, representing previous Ibibio African ceremonies. The Ibibio coastal people, primarily located in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and eastern Abia State in southern Nigeria, are connected to these ancestral traditions through the artwork.
Ekefrey’s graffiti covers the canvas with a plethora of tiny faces that give the artwork a multi-perspective depth to the primary figures and the ancestral wine pot. While the fantastical Ibibio ceremony is about to begin, each tribal member in the market square is required to have a drink from the palm wine pot, to symbolize that the drink was not poisoned.
Ekefrey was born in 1952 into the Ibibio ethnic group in Ndiya, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. The Ibibio people are known for their rich traditions of music, dance, painting and sculpture. So it is not surprising that he grew up the son of a renowned carver, who provided a profound appreciation for the artistic expressions inherited from his culture.
This self-trained artist currently lives in the Lagos metropolis; the city's energy and fast-paced life inspires his current work. Despite his cultural foundation, he has charted his own path, creating a unique style he refers to as "Uyai (Beautiful) Art." This self-defined approach is characterized by the innovative "all-over" technique (as in the painting above), where paint is applied to his large scale, unstretched canvases laid flat on the ground.
Ekefrey's work has been showcased in prestigious venues across Europe, USA, and Mexico, as well as the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL). His contribution extends to publications committed to highlighting African culture, like "French Revolution, a Nigerian Perspective" (1990), Nobel Prize African novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah's book covers (2021), and "A King's Passion: A 21st-Century Patron of African Art" (2024).
Ekefrey remains an influential voice in contemporary art, exploring the intersection of culture, identity, and modernity as noted in Contemporary Art of Africa (1996), published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. And his work continues to affirm his role as one of the most pivotal figures in the promotion of African art on the world stage. Two of his more current paintings are provided below:
Bibliography and Research Documentation:
Contemporary Art of Africa, text in English by Louise Bourgeois, Edited by Andre Magnin & Jacques Soulillou, Harry N. Abraams, New York, NY, 1996, pgs. 54-57 - photos of the works are from the Jean Pigozzi (Harvard educated, heir to the CEO of the automobile brand Simca, and noted art collector) Collection.
Ekefrey’s graffiti covers the canvas with a plethora of tiny faces that give the artwork a multi-perspective depth to the primary figures and the ancestral wine pot. While the fantastical Ibibio ceremony is about to begin, each tribal member in the market square is required to have a drink from the palm wine pot, to symbolize that the drink was not poisoned.
'Ibibio Ancestral Pot', circa 1991.
Approximately 35 X 35 Inches
Acrylic on Canvas
People received blessings during these ceremonies for life events such as marriage, pregnancy, and childbirth are protected from harm during this time. These events, which emerge from the canvas into the realm of Surrealism, showcase how Ekefrey expresses the spirit of Ibibio and Nigerian culture. The magical palm wine also has a mystical side, providing blessings to those who drink it. Ekefrey reminds us that our ancestors paved the way for us to experience these important ceremonies, which are passed down from generation to generation. These celebrations are remembered for the joy and healing they bring.
Ekefrey's canvas is a dynamic and captivating tribute to his ancestors. The composition is densely packed (there is no place to rest your eyes) with geometric shapes, including triangles, half-circles, squares, and curved arches, forming countless tiny faces with hundreds of watchful eyes. Crosshatching, squiggles, and zig-zags add further texture and depth. The background ancestors are rendered in solemn shades of navy, purple, and blue, while the ancestors forming the central palm wine pot are depicted in earthy browns, tans, and greens. Three commanding figures preside over the pot, serving as ceremonial officials and overseeing the vibrant ancestral gathering.
The painting is dominated by a central single figure surrounded by luminous colors, creating an almost “pop art” painting. In this case Ekefrey’s central portrait radiates artistic authority; this amusing portrait of the tribal leader is cross-eyed with a toothy grin, and lime-lips. His ears are oversized with an ancestor whispering in his left ear. Likewise Ekefrey sometimes whispers in our ears, but he gives our eyes a full-fledged carnival: His iconographic paintings convey a feeling of life, expressing Ibibio African iconic culture, and celebratory joy.
This self-trained artist currently lives in the Lagos metropolis; the city's energy and fast-paced life inspires his current work. Despite his cultural foundation, he has charted his own path, creating a unique style he refers to as "Uyai (Beautiful) Art." This self-defined approach is characterized by the innovative "all-over" technique (as in the painting above), where paint is applied to his large scale, unstretched canvases laid flat on the ground.
Ekefrey's work has been showcased in prestigious venues across Europe, USA, and Mexico, as well as the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL). His contribution extends to publications committed to highlighting African culture, like "French Revolution, a Nigerian Perspective" (1990), Nobel Prize African novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah's book covers (2021), and "A King's Passion: A 21st-Century Patron of African Art" (2024).
Ekefrey remains an influential voice in contemporary art, exploring the intersection of culture, identity, and modernity as noted in Contemporary Art of Africa (1996), published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc. And his work continues to affirm his role as one of the most pivotal figures in the promotion of African art on the world stage. Two of his more current paintings are provided below:
Bibliography and Research Documentation:
África Hoy. Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno, Exhibition catalogue, bilingual text Spanish & English, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain, 1991; Catalogue details at: https://www.caacart.com/exposition/africa-hoy-africa-now-traveling-exhibition/
Several of Ekefrey's paintings were featured as book covers for Nobel Prize African novelist, Abdulrazak Gurnah books, 2021
A King's Passion: A 21st Century Patron of African Art, Editor, Sandra Mbanefo Obiage. His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe CFR book, 2024; refers to a book title that highlights the story of a contemporary African monarch who is a dedicated collector and supporter of African art, showcasing their passion for promoting and preserving the continent's artistic heritage through their extensive collection.
Please note: This is not a standard American bibliography, instead it was created to provide context to the books and the exhibit catalogue.
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©2024. Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors. The photos and blog was created by Mr. Waller and all written materials were obtained by the Fair Use Section 107, of The Copyright Act. #EmmanuelEkongEkefrey
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