Nigerian-born, Vincent has made South Africa his home since 2009. Creative from childhood, he studied painting in an art school. With his discovery of the Superblur Art Movement, his technique has evolved “from realistic to expressive”. Enjoying the freedom found in his resent technique, Vincent is looking for a way to paint in the most expressive manner. He creates images with drippings of paints, with little or no brush contact with his work surface. The swift manner in which he moves his brush over his canvas results in variation in line sizes, giving them distinct uniqueness. His notable work portrays Kitty Phetla, known for her performance of “The Dying Swan” at the Royal Carre Theater at the Faranani concert for Nelson Mandela in Amsterdam in 2002. Inspired by this ballerina’s passion, dedication, focus and hard work towards her career; Vincent’s major works portray ballet dancers in their “moments”.
VN17- Man III, Enamel on hardpaper, 94cmX64cm
Vincent has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Johannesburg, including one organized by Bronwyn Lace. His most recent exhibitions were at the Living Artist Emporium art gallery. He believes art is spiritual and acknowledges God as his sole inspiration. His paintings are usually symbolic and the use of stitches expresses his belief in “making right, to our best capabilities, the wrong things we come across in life, before considering the option of discarding them.”
Artist statement
My love for art has kept me drawn to the beauty of nature where I draw inspiration from. I find keen interest in exploring landscapes and human forms with focus on the facial features.
In 2013, my style and technique evolved from realistic to very expressive. In this new technique, which I’m very much exploring, I create images with lines dripped from my brushes loaded with paints, making little or no brush contacts with my work surfaces. The way and swift manner in which I move my brushes over my work surfaces is responsible for the variation in lines sizes, giving my works the unique characteristic they posses. The fluidity in my brush dripped lines represents life’s rigors, happiness and celebration. The use of stitches in my paintings speaks volume about my belief in making right, to our best capabilities, the wrong things we come across in life, before considering the option of discarding them. My paintings are usually symbolic.
My involvement with the Super Blur Art Movement was the ignition for my new painting style and technique. In ‘Super Blurring’ a painting, elements from other art movements like Superflat, Superstroke, etc, are blurred in order to interpret images in such a manner that they are less distinct and unclear to the viewers. The inclusion of the barcodes in every Super Blur art is an indication suggesting that no one can escape from art as much as the barcodes.
VN13- Uncertainty IV, Enamel on canvas, 140cmX170cm
My relocation to South Africa in 2009 definitely has a great impact on my art, with my first art experience being an art workshop capped by an exhibition of art installations, at the Bag Factory in Newtown, organized and curated by Bronwyn Lace. Experiencing the vibrant, busy and yet “not so welcoming” city of Johannesburg, especially with the taxi drivers, leaves me with an inconclusive resolution about the people in Johannesburg. My resolution is that, no where on earth is perfect, and life’s challenges are inevitable. In a bit to overcome my disappointments, I have chosen to appreciate and celebrate the positivity of the city. This was portrayed in my exhibitions in 2013 at the LAE art gallery, with the theme: THE DANCING CITY OF JOZI. I symbolically expressed my thoughts about the carefree attitudes of people in Jozi.
My first solo exhibition “Facing Jozi”, in May 2014, was inspired by the first black woman to take on the leading role in the Dying Swan. In these paintings I talk about Kitty Phetla’s Passion, Endless dedication and Discipline as a ballet dancer. These attributes played a crucial role in her becoming famous.
My interest to contribute and impact the art communities propels me to search for ways to express my thoughts and ideas in the most expressive manner possible, with yet unfounded suitable media for expression.
I believe art is spiritual and I acknowledge God as my sole inspiration.
VN10- Taking the lead X, Enamel on board, 69cmX180cm
VN14- Veiled, Enamel on canvas, 140cmX170cm
VN15- Man I, Enamel on hardpaper, 94cmX64cm
VN16- Man II, Enamel on hardpaper, 94cmX64cm
VN6- Dedication VIII, Acrylic enamel on canvas, 122cmX154cm
VN7- The dance I, Enamel on canvas, 124cmX156cm
VN8- The Dance II, Acrylic enamel on canvas, 124cmX157cm
VN9- Wisdom stare V, Enamel on canvas, 146cmX172cm,
VN12- Dedication X, Enamel on canvas, 140cmX170cm
