BIOBorn in 1992, Oliver Okolo, a full-time artist from Suleja, Nigeria, began his artistic journey under the mentorship of the esteemed artist Clement Nwafor, where he honed his skills and developed a unique style that reflects his deep fascination with the human condition. With a primary focus on oil paints, charcoal and mixed media, Oliver's work explores the depths of human expression and the intricacies of the human form.
Oliver’s art is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, particularly in his portrayal of the eyes, which he believes are the windows to the soul. This focus allows him to capture the depth of human emotion, creating a powerful connection between his subjects and the viewer. His techniques are constantly evolving as he experiments with new methods and mediums, pushing the boundaries of figurative art. Oliver's work serves as an ongoing dialogue between the physical and emotional realms, inviting viewers to engage with the subtle yet profound nuances of the human experience.
Throughout his career, Oliver has participated in numerous prestigious exhibitions across the globe. In 2023, he showcased his work at the "Orange isn’t Blue" exhibition at OOA Gallery in Barcelona, Spain. His 2021 exhibition, "I Forgot To Tell You, Now Listen," held at Gallery 1957 in Accra, Ghana, received critical acclaim. More recently, in 2024, Oliver's art was featured in "African Supernova" at Kunsthal KAdE Museum in Amersfoort, Netherlands, and "Origin" at Galerie Von Vertes in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2022, his exhibition "The Frame Remains the Same" at Arcadia Contemporary Gallery in New York, USA, further cemented his reputation as a master of figurative painting.
CVBorn 1992, Suleja, Nigeria. Lives and works in Abuja, Nigeria
EDUCATION
2016 – 2019 Atelier Clement Nwafor
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023 Orange isn’t Blue, OOA Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
2023 Salon, Bloom Art Studio, Lagos, Nigeria
2021 I Forgot To Tell You, Now Listen, Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana
2018 Shades, Enigma Art Collective, The Cube Café, Abuja, Nigeria
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Mirrors of Our Time, Alexis Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2024 African Supernova, Kunsthal KAdE Museum, Amersfoort, Netherlands
2024 Origin, Galerie Von Vertes, Zurich, Switzerland
2023 Reviving the Spirit! Who said figurative African art is dead? OOA Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
2022 The Frame Remains the Same, Arcadia Contemporary Gallery, New York, USA
2022 African Rise and Fall, Dapaah Gallery, London, United Kingdom
2022 Catharsis, Eduardo Secci Gallery, Milan, Italy
2021 Stop, listen, CFHILL Art Space, Stockholm, Sweden
2020 Collective reflections: contemporary African and diasporic expression of a new vanguard, Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana
2019 Art For Development By Action Aid Nigeria
2018 Art In My City Exhibition By British Council, Abuja, Nigeria
2016 Life In My City Art Festival
RESIDENCIES
2021 Gallery 1957 artist in residency, Ghana
2020 Legacy brothers lab artist in residency, Chicago, USA
FAIRS
2023 Art Madrid, OOA Gallery, Madrid, Spain
2022 Art Paris, Gallery 1957, Paris, France
2022 ArtX Lagos, OOA Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2022 FNB Johannesburg, Wunika Mukan Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
2022 Kiaf Seoul, Eduardo Secci Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
2021 1-54 art fair New York, Gallery 1957, New York, USA
2021 Art Dubai, Gallery 1957, Dubai, UAE
2021 ArtX Lagos, Gallery 1957, Lagos, Nigeria
COMMISSIONS
2025 Private art commission and album cover art by Grammy nominated musician Alev Lenz “ portrait of Alev Lenz)
2020 Private Art Commission by Brandan price (private collector)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Online
2023 May 18, Oliver Okolo, The Making of a New Renaissance Artist, WhiteHot Magazine, Paul Lester
2023 Jan 27, The African Report, Ghana, Nigeria, south africa… 20 young African creatives to know by Joseph Omoh Ndukwu
2023 Feb 26, Oliver Okolo, OOA participates at Art Madrid, Newsletter, We All Culture Magazine
2021 Oct 23, I Forgot to Tell You, Now Listen, Black Discourse Magazine
2021 Nov 10, Christies, “[West] African Renaissance in collaboration with
Christie’s Dubai 14 November - 14 December 2021. Christies Dubai, U.A.E.”
Nov 6, Independent.ng, “Oliver Okolo Opens Conversations On Heritage With New Exhibition”, Ovwe Medeme
2020 ArtPlugged, “Okolo Oliver: Artists Inside the Industry”, Artist Interview