​Father & Sons

 

 

Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey

"Colour beautifies the world. African masks are seen as an element of ugliness; my role is to use vibrant colours to beautify what is termed as ugly." - Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey

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Born in 1952 into a family of men gifted with the art of expression, I have always drawn inspiration from my father, who was renowned as one of the finest wood carvers in Ikot-Ukap. Growing up in Ndiya village, I discovered my connection to art as a young boy, creating charcoal sketches and drawing expressive lines in the sand as I ran barefoot through the village. Those early experiences became the foundation of my artistic journey and have evolved into intricate and symbolic compositions on canvas.

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My work is deeply rooted in the lived experiences of society. I draw inspiration from everyday life and transform those experiences through bold forms, vibrant colors, and powerful symbolism. I am particularly known for my use of gigantism, a stylistic approach in which I maximize every inch of the canvas. I use this expansive approach to create an immersive experience that invites viewers to look closer, engage with the details, and discover their own interpretations within the work.

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My Ibibio cultural heritage is at the heart of my artistic expression. I draw from the visual language, traditions, and stories passed down through generations, particularly the Ekpe masquerade and the graceful Abang maiden dancers. These cultural elements are more than visual subjects to me. They represent memory, identity, heritage, and continuity. Through my paintings, I seek to preserve and celebrate these traditions while bringing them into a contemporary visual conversation.

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My art is also a reflection of the world around me. I am interested in people, society, culture, and the experiences that shape our understanding of life. Through color, form, scale, and symbolism, I create paintings that encourage viewers to connect with both the familiar and the unexpected.

 

Over the course of my career, my work has crossed international borders and found homes in galleries and collections across France, the United States, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, and my beloved homeland, Nigeria.

For me, painting is not simply about creating an image. It is about telling stories, preserving memories, celebrating culture, and creating a visual language through which my experiences and heritage can continue to speak to others.

 

Erikan Ekefrey

"Thank you Lord, as I do the work, please establish it. Amen" - Erikan Ekefrey

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My journey as an artist is rooted in family, perseverance, independence, and a lifelong passion for creating. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where I was introduced to art at a very young age through my father, a renowned painter. I spent my childhood around his large-scale paintings, watching him work and helping fill in strokes on his canvases. What began as a childhood experience became the foundation of my artistic journey.

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I primarily work with acrylic and oil paint on canvas, using vibrant color, texture, movement, perspective, and storytelling to create my visual language.

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My work draws from universal themes of identity, tradition, peace, joy, love, community, and the human experience. I am interested in the relationship between where we come from and the world we live in today.

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I believe a painting does not have to be physically large to create a monumental experience. Within each composition, I create a world filled with stories and moments waiting to be discovered. My hope is that viewers will look closely, connect with what they see, and find something of their own experience within the work.

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Edo Ekefrey

Through my pencil portraits, I want to demonstrate the beauty that can exist in simplicity. Art, for me, is more than a skill. It is a journey of discovering who I am and understanding what I am capable of creating.

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I began my creative journey as a teenager, painting with my father when I was around 14 or 15 years old. Those early experiences introduced me to the world of art, but it was several years later, when I picked up a pencil and began sketching, that I truly discovered my voice as an artist.

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I am a self-taught artist. I did not learn through formal training or academic study. I believe my ability to create is a gift, something natural and divinely inspired. At the same time, I understand that talent must be developed through patience, practice, observation, and dedication.

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Pencil drawing has become my primary form of expression because of its simplicity and depth. I am fascinated by the ability to transform a blank sheet of paper into a detailed and emotional portrait using graphite. My work focuses on realism, precision, and detail, but capturing a person's likeness is only part of the process. I want to capture something deeper, including their emotion, character, and essence.

 

Each portrait I create represents both natural ability and years of practice, curiosity, and exploration. I believe art does not always have to be taught. Sometimes, it has to be discovered within you.