Featuring Aragbada Olayinka Stephen + Daniel Ayomide Emmanual

Aragbada Stephen (b.1993) is a highly skilled and expressive visual artist, specializing in painting. His passion for art began in early childhood and has been a driving force throughout his life. Stephen is constantly striving to improve his craft, seeking out new ideas and concepts, and collaborating with other artists to push the boundaries of his work.

Stephen holds a National Diploma (N.D) in Fine Art from The Polytechnic of Ibadan, and has undergone additional training at the Universal Studios of Art in Iganmu, Lagos, Nigeria. He furthered his education at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned a B.A in Fine Arts. Stephen is now a full-time practicing studio artist.

His works are focused on capturing the moments and natural phenomena that define the human experience, from colonial times to contemporary times. He celebrates black skin as an African artist, promoting positive representations of blacks, diaspora, and brown skin Africans. As a painter, Stephen uses colors and drawings to document and freeze memories and moments for future reference. His work is highly relatable, allowing viewers to connect deeply with his art.

Stephen’s paintings have been exhibited in art galleries in Nigeria and abroad, and his work has been collected by private art collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. His unique style and powerful message have made him a rising star in the fine art world.

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Daniel Ayomide Emmanuel (b. 1999, Delta State) lives and works in the Ancient City of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

With a lifelong dedication to the arts, he has developed a distinctive and compelling body of work that has garnered attention and recognition both locally and internationally. Inspired by the World’s nuances and the intricate dance of emotions, Daniel employs a diverse range of mediums, including oil and Acrylic painting style of art on canvas. His creations are marked by a captivating blend of realism and musical aspects of human life, often delving into the intricate layers of the human psyche. Over the years, Daniel has honed his craft through formal education, self-study, and the invaluable experience of participating in various exhibitions and artist collaborations. His work has been celebrated for its ability to elicit a profound emotional response from viewers, inviting them to explore the complexities of the Black race’s existence and the universal theme that binds us all.

In addition to this, Daniel is not just a visual experience; it is an invitation to contemplate connections and unique perspectives and the depth of his artistic expression continues to captivate the audience and inspire fellow artists.

“As an artist, I find myself drawn to the rich tapestry of humanity, capturing its seductive moments, memories, and timeless essence. My work embraces the past, present, and future, creating a dialogue on the connective nature of humanity and the natural phenomena that surround us. In my paintings, I explore the complex relationships and experiences that flourished during the past, while I also represent this contemporary period

With a bold voice, I utilize impressionistic and illusive background effects, highlighting the contrasts of rough and smooth textures. This contrast produces an emotional depth and heightened awareness of the subject matter. I choose to work with acrylic paints for their bold colors and prefer to paint both the background and the clothing of the subject matter. This allows me to capture the mood and abeyance of the work, bringing a unique perspective to the canvas”. -Aragbada Stephen

“Being an otherwise introverted personality; my art is a reflection of the ever-evolving dialogue between self and the World. It is a visual exploration of the black human experience, and musical life, and endeavor to capture the intangible emotions, thought,s and moments that shape the African lives.

In my works, I strive to bridge the gap between reality and abstraction. I am drawn to oil and acrylic on canvas, as it allows me to create a better form of realism and tell my stories properly.

My art delicately observes and captures African musical lifestyle and various activities in her environment, between the late 1960s and early 70s. Also the musical instrumentalist life from the 1970s till date.

From my works you can notice some colorful circles on each painting; this symbolizes the colorful and beautiful life we live. These circles also indicate our life circles of happiness, sadness, good times, and hard times.

I invite the audience to become active participants in the storytelling, to see beyond the surface and connect within the underlying emotions and narratives.

Ultimately, my art is an invitation to embark on a visual journey, to explore and express the everyday experiences of my people, and in turn hopes that my viewers can either relate or have a sense of understanding, a deeper connection to the intricate tapestry of African existence.” -Daniel Ayomide Emmanuel

“I utilize charcoal as a medium for the skin areas of my subjects to capture, document, and express myself. Throughout my upbringing, I developed a unique way of perceiving the world. I not only observe my surroundings from my perspective, but I also delve into the perspectives of others. I empathize with their experiences, both the good and the challenging ones. This innate nature allows me to delve into the minds of individuals and understand their thoughts and emotions deeply. When it comes to creating art, I am inspired by both my personal experiences and the world around me. I take all that I have absorbed and pour it onto the canvas using various mediums such as colors, brushes, and charcoal.

My artistic approach is a hybrid one, as I proficiently combine wet and dry mediums to create artworks that are rich in texture and shades. Through this, I aim to convey a clear message and captivate viewers with detailed and alluring visuals. I am always passionate about exploring new techniques, mediums, and subject matter that stay aligned with my current fascinations and pushes me to continuously challenge and surpass boundaries in my artistic journey.”
-Aragbada Stephen

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Tags: Aragbada Olayinka Stephen, BLVCK X, Chicago, Daniel Ayomide Emmanual, Lower West Side, Nych Gallery