Anthony Azekwoh Explained

Anthony Azekwoh is a Nigerian writer and visual artist based in Lagos Nigeria.^[1] His work focuses on African folklore and mythology, using themes and figures to tell stories in visual art, sculpture, and paintings.^[2] He has been described as one of the black artists bringing unique art to Web3,^[3] and "one of the most visible digital artists in the continent"^{[4] [5]}

He has designed work for Nigerian artists like Show Dem Camp, Masego, Adekunle Gold, and BlaqBonez.^[6]

Biography

Azekwoh was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He started creative writing when he was a high school student at Whitesands School. There he first met Nigerian writer Kola Tubosun, his English teacher, who became his mentor.^[4] He encountered works of writers such as Nnedi Okoroafor, Lesley Nneka Arimah, and Neil Gaiman there. In a few years, Azekwoh won his first prizes for his creative writing. In 2016, he began digital painting.^[4] In 2019, while studying Chemical Engineering, he dropped out of Covenant University to go into full time art creation.^[7]

Solo Exhibitions

• 2023 ‘There is A Country’, Abuja & Lagos Nigeria
• 2022 ‘Becoming’, Abuja, Nigeria
• 2021 ‘Homecoming’, Lagos, Nigeria
• 2021 'Red’, Lagos, Nigeria

Group Exhibitions

• 2023 How High The Moon, New York, USA
• 2022 FiServ Black History Month Showcase
• 2022 Superchief Tokyo Billboard Feature
• 2021. Eth Showcase, Denver, Colorado

Curatorial Projects

• 2023 Afrodigital [vol. III], SuperRare
• 2022 Liveart Showcase, Lagos Nigeria  
• 2022 Coinprofile Showcase, Lagos, Nigeria  
• 2022 Afrodigital [vol. II], SuperRare  
• 2022 Afrodigital [vol. I], Lagos, Nigeria

Notable prizes

• Awele Trust Prize (2017)
• Loose Convo Grant (2018)

Notes and References

1. News: Mbonu-Amadi . Osa . October 9, 2023 . Azekwoh's art exhibition of optimism for Nigeria .
2. Web site: 2023-09-27 . Azekwoh searches for justice, fair play in There Is A Country . 2024-04-16 . The Guardian Nigeria News . en-US.
3. Web site: 2023-07-30 . Anthony Azekwoh…African Art In Revolution . 2024-04-15 . The Guardian Nigeria News . en-US.
4. Web site: Esomnofu . Emmanuel . 2021-07-07 . How Anthony Azekwoh is Creating a Future of Myths . 2024-04-15 . Olongo Africa . en.
5. Web site: Overo . Naomi . 2022-05-04 . 4 Nigerian Contemporary Artists Shaking The Art Scene . 2024-04-16 . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . en-GB.
6. Web site: Artist Anthony Azekwoh Breaks Down The Cover Art For Blaqbonez "Sex Over Love" . Kuulpeeps.
7. News: Bolawa . Pelumi . March 26, 2023 . SPOTLIGHT: Anthony Azekwoh — the creative writer redefining digital art .