John Madu
John Madu (born in 1983) is a Nigerian multi-disciplinary artist born in Lagos, best known for his figurative symbolic style of paintings, usually along the lines of the complexity of identity, social behavior and the effects of cultural globalization on individualism. His work can be described as eclectic because of how he derives ideas, from a various range of influences and sources based on popular culture, African history, art history. and personal experiences. symbolism is usually evident in his work, with reoccurring iconography such as books, apples, and other recognizable items which convey a certain meaning in art, and act as metaphors to a subject.
John’s source of inspiration is from a variety of places, but can be narrowed down to a few things that inspire a major part of his art works, which could be current situations affecting society, be it political, social or just banal everyday life issues. Giving him opportunities and reason to record the history of his time, with the aid of resource materials such as magazines, books, social media, news and even real time situations. He believes the best kind of art is a reaction to certain issues of interest and divulging information to educate and also entertain. “As much as I believe in the beauty of art in itself, I stand with the theory of ‘’significant form” and the aesthetic is experienced when the work of art stimulates an emotion, intellect and imagination. The aesthetics in viewing a work of art should be judged based on the feature of the artwork in itself, and not just based on preferences and personal experiences. The artist however should not be the sole judge of his or her work, as seen that in no other field of human activity where this would be possible”.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020 | Tokyo Art Fair
2020 | Shanghai Art Fair
2019 | “Seeing Sounds”,Copeland Gallery, London (House of African Art)
2019 | “Next Wave: The Power of Authenticity and Self-Validation”, Hoxton Arches
Gallery, London
2018 | “Identity Tones”, One Artspace Gallery, Manhattan, New York
2018 | “Forestation”, Didi Museum, Victoria Island Lagos
2018 | “Sao and the Muse”, Saocafe, Lagos
2017 | “Artyrama”, Artyrama Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos
2017 | “Its Not Furniture”, Omenka Gallery, Lagos
2016 | “Sunrise”, Moor House, London
2016 | “Platform”, ArtTwentyOne Gallery Victoria Island, Lagos
2016 | “Only The Brave 2”, DIESEL Showroom. Lagos
2013 | “Indigenes”, Hamilton Prokleen Centre, Ontario, Canada
2008 | “Art Expo Nigeria”, Nkem Gallery, Lagos
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018 | “Identity Tones”, by Bombay Sapphire, Lagos
2017 | “Only The Brave 1” Diesel Flagship Store, Victoria Island, Lagos
2016 | “An Obscure Fashion for Affection”, Terra Kulture, Lagos
2015 | “Morphogenesis”, Didi Museum, Lagos
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There are currently no artworks by this artist available on Latitudes. Please contact info@latitudes.online if you would like us to source works.
