Ken Nwadiogbu was born in 1994, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Nwadiogbu is a full-time visual artist who creates innovative conceptual drawings on various surfaces as he engages in multidisciplinary modes of storytelling. Gender equality, African culture, 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 him and those around, he began creating works that reflect the everyday struggles of people, with the hopes of making a change in his community.
Popularly known as KenArt, Nwadiogbu is credited for introducing the “Contemporealism” movement and was recently named by Guardian Life as one of the most “Outstanding Personalities of 2019” in recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian arts community. 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 nurtures an art collective called ‘Title Deed’ and co-found Artists Connect NG, the largest artist gathering in Nigeria, created to foster
creativity, collaboration and community.
Nwadiogbu is constantly revitalizing his practice by challenging modes of Black representation. His oeuvres do not just encompass various forms of drawing using charcoal, collage, and acrylic, but most recently transcends into photography, sculpture, installation and performance art.
EDUCATION
2012 – 2017
B.Sc Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021
“JOURNEY MERCIES” Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London, UK
”UBUNTU” Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles, USA
2019
”CONTEMPOREALISM” BrickLane Gallery, London, UK
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
”Real Life Is Fragile” Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles, USA
”FRESH!” Padre gallery, New York, USA
“Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Collection” Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, UK
“POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaii To The World” Bishop Museum, Hawaii, USA
“1-54 African Art Fair, New York” Retro Africa Gallery
2020
“Prizm International Art Fair, Miami” Retro Africa Gallery
“The Cookout: Kinfolk and Other Intimacies” MoCADA Museum, New York, USA
“1-54 African Art Fair, New York” Retro Africa Gallery
“Art of Diversity” Yinka Sonibare CBE (RA) studio, London, UK
2019
”Moniker International Art Fair, London” Premier Art Solution, Bournemouth, UK
”ArtX Lagos” Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
”Thinkspace Project’s LAX-LHR” Chelsea Sorting Office, London, UK
“Thinkspace Project’s LAX-MSY” RedTruck Gallery, Louisiana, USA
“Thinkspace Project’s LAX-SFO” Heron Arts, California, USA
“In The Making” Retro Africa Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria
2018
”ArtX Lagos” Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
”Afriuture Exhibition” Ramati Art Africa in association with the Commonwealth Africa Summit. Ontario Investment and Trade centre, Toronto, Canada
”Anti-Trump Art Show” Creative Debuts, London, UK
“Moniker International Art Fair, NYC” Creative Debuts, London, UK
“Generation Y” Retro Africa Gallery, Abuja, Nigeria
”Empowerment” Creative Debuts, London, UK
2017
”Artyrama Art Exhibition” Artyrama Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
”Finding Your Identity” British Council, Abuja, Nigeria
”It’s Not Furniture” Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
2016
”Insanity” Omenka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria
AWARDS
2019
The Future Awards Africa Prize for Art (Visual/Applied)
Bridgeman Studio Award
RESIDENCIES
2021
Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London, UK