John Madu

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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