Prominent African Oil Painters and Their Masterpieces
With its unique qualities, African oil paintings have long been a fascination among art enthusiasts. The slower drying time, smoother, glossier finish, durability, scratch—and stain-resistance, and excellent coverage of this medium make it a realm of endless possibilities. The allure of African oil painting lies in its ability to bring out the depth and vibrancy of colours, creating a visual feast for the eyes.
Oil painting, with its limitless array of expressive possibilities, is a medium that inspires and captivates. The forgiving nature of oil paints allows for easy corrections, instilling confidence in the artist’s creative process. Its texture and glazing techniques allow for the creation of intricate textures that mimic the delicate texture of flower petals or the ruggedness of a city landscape. The thick consistency of oil paints allows for a building up of layers, adding depth and dimension to the painting. Oil paints offer a vibrancy and depth that can breathe life into any painting, inspiring the artist and captivating the viewer with their lifelike quality. The rich pigmentation and long-lasting glossy finish result in a piece that delivers unparalleled brilliance.
Some African painters have become renowned for using oil as their medium of choice. One of these artists is Michael Armitage; he was born in Nairobi and lived there until he was sixteen. Armitage, who comes from a family of artists, began his career as an abstract painter. One of his early paintings was Kampala Suburb, which depicts two men kissing; Armitage attempted to exhibit the piece in Nairobi but was unsuccessful, as the art centre was uncomfortable with the subject matter. In 2019, his work was showcased at the 58th Venice Biennale; this same year, Armitage had a solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia. Armitage founded the non-profit Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute in 2020, which aims to promote contemporary art in the city. In May 2022, the Royal Mint announced that he would design a new £1 coin for the United Kingdom, to be issued in 2023.
Buhle Nkalashe is a painter who uses varied mediums, such as Oil, Acrylic, and oil pastels. He focuses mainly on portraiture and abstract paintings. His art portrays how contemporary African art has evolved to incorporate traditional symbols. Nkalashe has been painting for nearly ten years and had his debut solo, The New African, at Youngblood Africa Gallery.
Clement Mmaduako Nwafor is an award-winning contemporary Nigerian Artist. He had long started his art by spending hours drawing with crayons and coloured pencils. In time, he took up an apprenticeship under Master Philip Nzekwe, who guided and trained his eyes in sculpture; he also went ahead to learn and develop his skills in painting under a renowned Nigerian Artist, Oswald Uruakpa 2011. Now a full-time studio Artist, Clement has shown his mastery in painting through his oil on canvas and collage pieces, which often combine fabric, resulting in stunning mixed media artworks.
At the African Gift Shop, we are deeply dedicated to showcasing African cultural heritage through our diverse oil paintings. Each painting in our collection uniquely expresses Africa’s rich cultural heritage. We take immense pride in our role as a platform for African artists to showcase their talent and creativity.
To view our collection of artwork, please visit the African Gift Shop (www.myafricangiftshop.com), the haven of hand-crafted and unique African-themed gift items. As a black-owned business, we are unwavering in offering only authentic African-themed gifts, ensuring that your purchase truly represents the African Spirit.
We invite you to experience the authenticity and beauty of our bespoke, handmade items at the African Gift Shop. Visit us at www.myafricangiftshop.com to explore our unique African-inspired gifts and paintings collection. We look forward to sharing the beauty of African art with you.
