Isaac Emokpae Explained

Isaac Emokpae
Birth Name:	Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae
Birth Date:	5 November 1977
Birth Place:	Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality:	Nigerian
Other Names:	Iken Erhabor-Emokpae, Isaac Erhabor Emokpae, Iken Emokpae
Alma Mater:	University of Lagos
Occupation:	Photographer, painter, visual artist
Parents:	Erhabor Emokpae

Isaac Emokpae (born Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae on November 5, 1977) is a Nigerian visual artist, painter, and photographer. His work is defined by duality and is known for its expressionist and surrealist features.

Biography and work

Emokpae has a BA in Creative Arts at the University of Lagos (2005), studying under the guidance of Professor Abayomi Barber but made his mark in the Nigerian creative scene first, most notably, as a photographer.^{[1] [2]} He workedfor a while in fashion photography and journalistic photography, making a significant mark in the field to have been once regarded as a "veteran".^[3] His photographs have been used in Forbes magazine^[4] among other places.

His paintings and visual art are peculiar in their focus on duality and their root the style of Abstract Expressionism. His work have been exhibited in Nigeria^[5] and around the world.

Emokpae is the third son of Erhabor Emokpae, notable Nigerian painter and sculptor popularly regarded as one of the pioneers of modern arts in Nigeria.^{[6] [7] [8]} Like his father, Emokpae strongly "combines his poetic depth with artistic flair"^[9]

He is said to be inspired by the philosophies of Leibniz, Descartes and Santayana.^[10]

Selected exhibitions

• Transparent - Rele Art Gallery, Onikan, Lagos. (2017)^[11]
• Strip - Rele Art Gallery, Onikan, Lagos (2015)^[12]
• Duality - The Wheat Baker, Ikoyi, Lagos (2014)^[13]
• Reconstruction in Reverse - Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos (2010).
• Genesis (Solo exhibition), Terra Kulture, VI, Lagos (2005)
• Signs of the Times, Didi Museum, Lagos – (2000), Salon Event, Bungalow, VI, Lagos (2004)
• Abayomi Barber Honorary Exhibition (Group Exhibition) at Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Nigeria. (2002)
• CCIC VI Artists (Group Exhibition) at Didi Museum, Lagos, Nigeria. (2000)
• Exchange of Our Treasures (Group Exhibition) at UNESCO, Troyes, France. (1996/97)
• Peace on Earth/Save our Earth (Group Exhibition) at Lions Group, Ilorin, Nigeria. (1990)

Awards

• 2007 – Hasselblad Masters, Semi-finalist.
• 1996 – UNESCO Exchange Our Treasures Art Competition.^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: African Arts with Taj: How Duality strokes of Emokpae see two sides of nature. Africanartswithtaj. May 3, 2014. African Arts with Taj. February 8, 2018.
2. News: Stop dreaming of jobs that are not there, Artist advise youths' — Youths Digest. Shuaib. Gidado. April 2, 2017. Youths Digest. February 8, 2018. en-US. April 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180408112035/http://youthsdigest.com/2017/04/20/stop-dreaming-job-not-artist-advise-youths/. dead.
3. News: Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Ade Plumptre, Body Lawson & Isaac Emokpae – Click to see line-up on Rubbin' Minds today » YNaija. April 2, 2012. YNaija. February 8, 2018. en-GB.
4. News: Nigeria's Leading Doll Brand is Coming to America. Eytan. Declan. Forbes. February 8, 2018. en.
5. News: 2017 art year: The rundown continues. February 8, 2018. en-US.
6. News: Nigeria: Iken Erhabor-Emokpae – A Chip Off the Block. March 7, 2005. This Day (Lagos). February 8, 2018.
7. Web site: Erhabor-Emokpae… A Quintessential Artist : Nigerian Latest News Papers News Online. www.nigerianbestforum.com. en-US. February 8, 2018.
8. Web site: https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/thisday-style/20150809/281998966180678. PressReader. February 8, 2018.
9. News: Like father, like son – The Nation Nigeria. April 9, 2014. The Nation Nigeria. February 8, 2018. en-US.
10. News: Emokpae stages first solo exhibition in grand style. Oyewole. Nurudeen. April 13, 2014. Daily Trust. February 8, 2018. February 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180224114416/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/others/emokpae-stages-first-solo-exhibition-in-grand-style/100144.html. dead.
11. News: RELE OPENS TRANSPARENT BY ISAAC EMOKPAE – Olori Supergal. November 2, 2017. Olori Supergal. February 8, 2018. en-US.
12. News: Review Of Strip In the Sunday Guardian. June 3, 2015. WanaWana. February 8, 2018. en-US.
13. Web site: Isaac Emokpae: Duality – Omenka Online. Enwonwu. Oliver. www.omenkaonline.com. en-US. February 8, 2018.
14. News: 5 Artists That Are Holding Africa's Art Industry To Sway And Should Be Looked Out For In 2017 [PHOTOS] » Thesheet.ng]. Unigwe. Chidinma. January 2, 2017. Thesheet.ng. February 8, 2018. en-US. February 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180209002808/https://thesheet.ng/5-artists-that-are-holding-africas-art-industry-to-sway-and-should-be-looked-out-for-in-2017-photos/. dead.