Kingsley Ayogu

Ayogu Kingsley
Born	Ayogu Ifeanyichukwu Kingsley (1994-09-23) 23 September 1994 (age 30) Enugu
Occupation(s)	Hyper-realist, artist
Known for	Hyper-realism

Ayogu Kingsley Ifeanyichukwu // ^ⓘ is a Nigerian artist known for his hyperrealist style.[1]

Early life and career

Ayogu was born on 23 September 1994. He hails from Aji Igboeze North L.G.A. Enugu State, Nigeria.[2]

In an interview with BBC Igbo, he said he started painting as a child before developing his style of hyperrealism.[3]

In 2021, Ayogu did a painting of Malcolm X the first of his series Icons in the White House which went viral on the internet. This series was displayed in the exhibition "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" at Hangar in Lisbon.[4]

Style of art

A reviewer described Ayogu's work as having "stunning, lens-like detail" depicting "situations with a wide spectrum of displayed emotion through tears, despair and affinity. The viewer of his pieces is compelled to feel connected to the paintings."[5]

In an interview with BBC Igbo, he described his major challenge as having to import his tools.[6] In an article on Guardian Newspaper his art was described as "terrifyingly visceral, so lifelike you feel you could touch them".[7]

Reviews

Ayogu's paintings which seek to express themes of daily experience of human life and nature have been defined as poetry that speaks to create pulsating appeal to the conscience of people.[8]

Awards

• Winner Best Experiment Artist at LIMCAF 2016[9]
• Winner Future Awards Africa 2020 category (Arts)[10]

References

1. Usulor, Israel (25 April 2022). "Is it a photo? Nigerian artist produces sweet painting of Sankara and Fela Kuti". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
2. "Narratives On Canvas: A Review Of Ayogu's Exceptional Paintings – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Retrieved 7 February 2023.
3. "'Ise ihe ọ dịka foto adịghị mfe'". BBC News Ìgbò (in Igbo). 2 March 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
4. "ShaunKing Praises Nigerian Artist Kingsley Ayogu's Painting of Malcolm X". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
5. Falade, Tomi (28 December 2018). "Narratives on Canvas: A Review Of Ayogu's Exceptional Paintings". Independent Newspapers Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
6. "Ayogu Kingsley na-eme 'Amerịka wọnda'!". BBC News Ìgbò. 3 March 2018. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
7. "Hyperrealism Borders With Kingsley Ayogu". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 15 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
8. "How street artists inspired me – Ayogu Kingsley". Daily Trust. 29 March 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
9. "Glitz, colour of LIMCAF at 10 light up Coal City". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
10. Mix, Pulse (4 December 2020). "Kingsley Ayogu, Aisha Salaudeen, Jide-Kene Achufusi, Seun Fakorede, Sam Adeyemi, others emerge winners at The Future Awards Africa 2020". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 February 2023.