“I‘m always searching for what‘s next, figuring ways to take my art to the next level. The past few ears haven’t been good on the psyche of Nigerians – the quality of governance, and state of economy. People are forced to deal with issues different from that which they are accustomed. During this process, art becomes therapeutic to the artist and observer, a means of escape and /or self-expression. You begin to create art that is linked to what is going on in the society.”
The Brain Analysis, 2015 – 16, Oil on Canvas, 184 x 122 cm
Duke Asidere
Duke Asidere
Duke Asidere (born 1961) is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated contemporary artists with a keen following internationally and in his native Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with first class honours in Fine Arts (painting) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1988, and a Masters of Fine Arts in painting in 1990 from the same university. He taught painting, drawing and art history at the Federal Auchi Polytechnic for five years before starting full time studio work in Lagos in 1995. He was mentored by Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya and taught by Gani Odutokun who had a profound impact on his life and artistic expression. Asidere expresses himself boldly through a wide variety of genre including pencil work, engravings, oil and acrylic, pastels and even transparencies. He was raised in a household of women, which is reflected in his recurring theme of the female form in his portrait and face series.